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ELWELL 

ON 

AUCTION BRIDGE 



BOOKS BY J. B. ELWELL 



Published bt CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 

Auction Bridge : The Principles, Rules, 
and Laws Stated, Explained, and Il- 
lustrated. New and Enlarged Edition 
with the Revised Rules and the New 
Count nef $1.25 

Practical Bridge: A Complete and Thor- 
ough Course of Instruction in the 
Game, with Over 100 Illustrative 
Hands net $1.50 

Advanced Bridge : The Higher Principles 
of the Game Analyzed and Explained, 
and Their Application Illustrated by 
Hands taken from Actual Play . net $1.50 

Bridge : Its Principles and Rules of Play 

net $1.25 



The Analysis and Complete Play of the 

Bridge Tournament Hands . . . net $ .60 



THE PRINCIPLES, RULES 
AND LAWS OF 

AUCTION BRIDGE 

STATED, EXPLAINED, AND ILLUSTRATED 
BY 

J. B. ELWELL 

AUTHOR OF " ELWELL ON BRIDGE," " PRACTICAL BRIDGE," 
AND " ADVANCED BRIDGE " 



NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION 

WITH 

THE REVISED LAWS 

AND 

THE NEW COUNT 



NEW YORK 

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 
1912 



G\JizSZ 



Copyright, iqi2, by 
J. B. EL\\^LL 

Published December, 1912 




©CI,A330^94 
7^ f . 



PREFACE 



It was the author's first intention to do no 
more than to revise his former book on Auction 
Bridge" sufiiciently to make it conform to the 
new rules and the new declaration of ''royal 
spades." 

On going over the ground anew, however, he 
found that the introduction of ''royal spades" 
has so revolutionised the game as to invalidate 
much of what was said previously, and to neces- 
sitate changes, modifications, and additions, not 
only in every chapter, but almost in every para- 
graph. 

Consequently, while the present volume em- 
braces much of the matter that was contained 
in the former one, to all intents and purposes it 
is a new book. 

The author's aim has been to give a clear and 
practical exposition of the principles of Auction 
Bridge as it is played to-day, such as will enable 
the ordinary reader to gain a good understand- 
ing of the game. At the same time, he believes 
that in the following pages will be found much 
that will be of value to the expert player who de- 



vi 



PREFACE 



sires to acquire a more complete comprehension 
of the underlying theories of Auction. 

A chapter that goes somewhat beyond the 
natural scope of the book, but which the author 
believes will be of interest to many readers, is 
that devoted to "Coon-Can," a game which is 
becoming increasingly popular, but which is as 
yet so new that its rules have hardly been defi- 
nitely formulated. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 



Preface v 

Introduction .... * o . 3 

The Laws of Auction Bridge 13 

The Laws of Three-Handed Auction Bridge 37 

Etiquette of Auction Bridge ... . . . 40 

A Description of the Game 43 

General Principles 53 

The Opening Declaration by the Dealer . 59 

The Dealer's No-Trump Bid 62 

The Dealer's Suit Bids 65 

Royal Spades and Hearts vs. No-Trumps . 71 

The "One-Royal-Spade" Bid 72 

The "Two-Royal-Spade" Bid 76 

The "One" or "Two Heart" Bid . ... 78 

The "One-Diamond "Bid 79 

The "Two-Diamond" Bid 81 

The "One-Club" Bid 83 

The "Two-Club" Bid 86 

The "One-Spade" Bid 87 

The Opening Bid of "Two Spades" ... 90 

Declarations by the Second Player .... 94 

Declarations BY the Third Player . . . . in 
vii 



viii CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Declarations by the Fourth Player . . . 126 

Continuation of the Bidding 129 

Estimating the Trick-Taking Value of the 

Trump Suit 132 

Estimating Plain-Suit Values — Holding 

Trump Strength 134 

Estimating the Value of a Trump Hand . 136 

Estimating the Assisting Value of a Hand . 136 

No-Trump Values 142 

The Limit of Safety 143 

Doubling 149 

The Play of the Opposition 158 

What to Lead When the Partner has 

Doubled 161 

The Discard 167 

Bidding and Playing to the Score . . . . 168 

Inferences 171 

"Your Partner" 175 

Three-Handed Auction ^ 180 

Two-Handed Auction 183 

The Game of Coon-Can 185 

Illustrative Auction Hands 195 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



INTRODUCTION 

Auction Bridge is an offspring of Bridge and 
the Russian game of Vingt, a bidding game 
played along the lines of Whist. 

The question has been much debated as to 
where Auction first started and a wide diver- 
sity of opinion has prevailed, but there is no 
doubt that the game was first played in Eng- 
land, and it is probably to the members of the 
Bath Club of London that credit for its inven- 
tion should be attributed. 

Bridge, after reigning supreme for more than 
fifteen years, is now almost entirely superseded 
by Auction, so that the old-fashioned Bridge 
player is regarded by the devotees of the new 
game much as he used to regard the Whist 
player of a former generation. Wherever Auc- 
tion has been introduced, it has been found that 
it kills the older game, just as Whist was killed 
by Bridge. It has been claimed, and perhaps 
with reason, that Auction is not so scientific a 
game as Bridge; but it may be retorted that 

the same argument was advanced in defense of 
3 



4 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Whist, when its existence was first threatened 
by Bridge. In neither case, however, has the 
new game suffered in popularity. As against 
Auction, it must be acknowledged that the bid 
undoubtedly simpHfies the play. It locates high 
cards and suit strength, and enables the declar- 
ant to take his finesses with a greater degree 
of assurance, while the various bids allow each 
of the opposing players to conduct his game 
with a definite knowledge of the position of suit 
strength. 

Clever play at Auction, however, counts for 
much more than it ever did at Bridge. The 
loss resulting from bad play and the gain from 
good play are infinitely greater. Surely, when 
a high Auction contract has been doubled, large 
issues depend upon the declarant's manipula- 
tion of the cards; besides which, the preliminary 
outhne of play directed toward two goals, con- 
tract and game, requires more skilful judgment; 
and clever play to gain extra tricks is equally 
potent at Bridge and at Auction after the con- 
tract has been fulfilled and the game won. 

When Auction was first started, and during 
its earlier Hfe, the values of the suits were the 
same as in Bridge. It was found, however, that 
the value of twelve, given to the no-trump bid, 
restricted competition in the bidding, and expe- 



INTRODUCTION 



5 



rience showed that a large percentage of the 
hands played by the declarant were no-trumpers. 
To overcome this apparent defect in the game, 
some of the members of the Racquet Club of 
Philadelphia reduced the value of the no-trump 
bid to ten, while, in order to enable the diamond 
bid to compete on better terms with the heart 
bid, the value of diamonds was raised from six 
to seven, thus enabling a player to over-bid 
''four hearts" with "five diamonds." Both of 
these changes have unquestionably improved 
the game, and are thoroughly logical. As a 
matter of fact, it was doubtless intended by 
the inventors of Bridge that the no-trump value 
should be ten, and in some European countries 
this is the value at which no-trumps has always 
been played. 

An innovation which has been recently intro- 
duced into the game is the declaration of royal 
spades. During the latter days of Bridge, and 
particularly in those clubs where men would 
play a rubber or two before dinner, an agree- 
ment was reached not to play spade declara- 
tions unless either side were twenty or more on 
the game. The object of this innovation was 
to save time and afford opportunity of playing 
a greater number of rubbers in a given period. 
It also assisted those with gambling proclivities 



6 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



to a quicker result. The Bridge-playing public 
at large hesitated to accept the innovation, and 
argued that there was just as much play in a 
spade declaration as in any other, and, by way 
of protest against the spade convention, some 
one evolved the idea of playing spades to win. 
This was the origin of the now famous ''royal 
spade." 

That there was an excuse for the royal spade 
declaration in Bridge cannot be seriously ques- 
tioned, and it may possibly have improved the 
game; but it is certain that the originators of 
the spade convention never approved of royal 
spades, and it is also a fact that players in other 
countries than America did not take kindly to 
either of these innovations. 

The royal spade is, therefore, an American 
product. Its adoption may have been in the 
form of a rehef from the high cost of li\dng; and 
the feehng for something radical, so prevalent at 
the present time, may be offered as an excuse 
for the royal spade in Auction. 

To the members of the Metropohtan Club of 
New York and the Somerset Club of Boston 
must be given credit for first placing the royal 
spade or ''Lily." It was afterward taken up 
by the Racquet Club of Philadelphia and then 
by the Whist Club of New York in connection 



INTRODUCTION 



7 



with the new count, and it has since spread all 
over this country and is now in practically 
universal use in America. 

The adherents of the new game can offer no 
excuse why clubs, diamonds, and hearts should 
not, equally with spades, be given a double value. 
There seems just as much reason for two club 
values as for two spade values, and if the game 
is improved by a greater number of declara- 
tions, why not, it may be asked, have as many 
as possible? Were this plan adopted, it would 
at least result in a better bidding game, in that 
a player could indicate short strength by a suit 
bid and both length and strength by a royal 
bid. It would certainly be more logical than 
the present system; but why rebel against pub- 
lic opinion? 

There are many advantages which can be 
claimed for the new game; more penalties above 
the line; an increased size of the rubber; and a 
slight shortening of the time taken to obtain a 
result. As against this it can be said that the 
new game tends to force unsound declarations, 
and that sound judgment is no longer possible; 
that it cuts out more heart and diamond decla- 
rations, and gives to royal spades a prominence 
to which this declaration is not entitled. Thus 
the novice is put on a more even plane with 



8 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



the expert as far as the bidding is concerned, 
and the good player is afforded less protection 
against an inexperienced partner. Eliminate the 
playing of a stake from the game, and there 
is no doubt that the exclusion of royal spades 
increases the mental diversion and puts a greater 
premium on sound judgment than the game 
now in vogue. 

There are, of course, many players who ob- 
ject to the royal spade, and in all fairness to 
such it may be well for the writer to state his 
behef that much more amusement is afforded 
when royals are eHminated. He holds, further, 
that the increased value of the club is not a 
good thing for the game, for the reason that 
all the preliminary information which a black 
declaration formerly conveyed, and which re- 
sulted in no-trump bids, is now lost. Another 
result of the new scoring is that more avenues 
of escape are open to the declarant, and the 
opponents are less likely to reap the deserved 
reward of a good double. If, for example, the 
dealer bids "one no-trump," and that declara- 
tion is doubled, he and his partner have now a 
choice of four two-trick declarations which will 
rescue him from the predicament; even a "two- 
club" bid being sufficient to put the doubled 
"one no-trump" out of court. Consequently 



INTRODUCTION 9 



there are fewer doubles and re-doubles in the 
new game as compared with the old. 

On the other hand, the decreased value of the 
no-trump bid and the increased value of the 
diamond bid are both sound and logical. 

The following count is therefore suggested: 



No-trump lo 

Hearts 8 

Diamonds 7 

Clubs 4 

Spades 2 



With this count the game lends itself to sound 
judgment, gives abundant scope for clever bid- 
ding, and enables one to estimate with accu- 
racy the value of a hand. It permits of more 
no-trump play, and so opens up the game. It 
insures greater protection, in that it is easier 
to warn the partner of any weakness, and offers 
a iheans of escape from the wildness of a part- 
ner's bid. 

There is still another school of players who 
object, not so much to the royal-spade game, as 
to the prominence which it is given. They ap- 
prove of the new count as far as the no-trump, 
diamond, and club are concerned, but prefer to 
play the royal at five; and the writer believes 
that this is an improvement on the game as 



10 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



practised at present. The advocates of this 
game use the values as follows: 



No-trump lo 

Hearts 8 

Diamonds 7 

Clubs 6 

Royal spades 5 

Spades 2 



It is rather interesting to note that in Eng- 
land, which can be said to be the home of Auc- 
tion Bridge, and is certainly where it first be- 
came popular, royal spades have not been 
regarded with approval, and they are practi- 
cally unknown in the clubs abroad. However, 
there is no telling what may happen when once 
the gambling instinct of the public is aroused, 
and without question the new game appeals to 
those who are speculatively inchned. 

At present the popular values in the game of 
Auction in America and those which seem to 
meet the public demand are as follows: 



No-trump 10 

Royal spades 9 

Hearts 8 

Diamonds 7 

Clubs 6 

Spades 2 



INTRODUCTION 



11 



How long the present system will last is not 
for any one to say. It will run its course and 
something new will be tried and adopted. The 
game of the future will undoubtedly be one 
more closely resembling the parent of Auction, 
^'Vingt." In the latter game the players bid 
the maximum instead of the minimum, and all 
four hands are held up instead of one being on 
the table. Premiums are awarded for the ful- 
filment of contracts in proportion to the size 
of the bids, and partners who finally bid and 
later secure a grand, or a Httle, slam in the play 
are awarded a very handsome bonus. This un- 
doubtedly is the game of the future, but at 
present we must make the best of that which 
is before us. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 



THE RUBBER 

1. The partners first winning two games win 
the rubber. If the first two games decide the 
rubber, the third is not played. 

2. A game consists of 30 points obtained by 
tricks alone, exclusive of any points counted for 
honours, chicane, slam, little slam, bonus, or 
under-tricks. 

3. Every deal is played out, and any points 
in excess of the 30 necessary for the game are 
counted. 

4. When the declarant wins the number of 
tricks bid, each one above six counts toward 
the game; 2 points when spades are trumps, 6 
at clubs, 7 at diamonds, 8 at hearts, 9 at royal 
spades, and 10 at no-trump. 

5. Honours are ace, king, queen, knave, and 
ten of the trump suit; or the aces when no- 
trump is declared. 

6. Honours are credited in the honour column 
to the original holders, being valued as follows: 

13 



02 

o <1 



oooo 

1-1 CO ""^^O 





»0 »0 lO lO 



14 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 15 



7. A grand slam is made when seven odd tricks 
are scored independently of tricks taken as pen- 
alty for the revoke; it adds 40 points to the 
honour count. 

8. Little slam is made when six odd* tricks are 
similarly scored; it adds 20 points to the honour 
count. 

9. Chicane (one hand void of trumps) is 
equal in value to simple honours, i. e., if the 
partners, one of whom has chicane, score hon- 
ours, it adds the value of three honours to their 
honour score; if the adversaries score honours 
it deducts that value from their honour count. 
Double chicane (both hands void of trumps) is 
equal in value to four honours, and that amount 
must be deducted from the honour score of the 
adversaries. 

10. The value of honours, slam, httle slam, 
or chicane is not affected by a double or a re- 
double. 

11. At the conclusion of a rubber, the trick 
and honour scores of each side are added; and 
an extra 250 points are given to the winners. 
The difference between the completed scores is 
the number of points of the rubber. 

12. A proven error in the honour score may 
be corrected at any time before the score of the 
rubber has been made up and agreed upon. 



16 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



13. A proven error in the trick score may be 
corrected prior to the conclusion of the game in 
which it occurred. Such game shall not be con- 
sidered concluded until a declaration has been 
made in the following game, or, if it be the final 
game of the rubber, until the score has been 
made up and agreed upon. 

CUTTING 

14. In cutting, the ace is the lowest card; as 
between cards of otherwise equal value, the low- 
est is the heart, next the diamond, next the club, 
and highest the spade. 

15. Every player must cut from the same pack. 

16. Should a player expose more than one 
card, the highest is his cut. 

FORMING TABLES 

17. The prior right to play is with those first 
in the room. If there be more than four candi- 
dates, the privilege of playing is decided by cut- 
ting. The four who cut the lowest cards play 
the first rubber. 

18. After the table is formed the players cut 
to decide upon partners, the lower two playing 
against the higher two. The lowest is the dealer, 
who has the choice of cards and seats, and who, 
having made his selection, must abide by it. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 17 



19. Six players constitute a complete table. 

20. The right to succeed any player who may 
retire is acquired by announcing the desire to 
do so, and such announcement shall constitute 
a prior right to the first vacancy. 

CUTTING OUT 

21. If, at the end of a rubber, admission be 
claimed by one or two candidates, the player or 
players having played the greatest number of 
consecutive rubbers shall withdraw; but when 
all have played the same number, they must cut 
to decide upon the outgoers — the highest are out. 

R I G H r m - v. v 

22. A candidate desiring to enter a table 
must declare his intention before any player at 
the table cuts a card, whether for the purpose 
of beginning a new rubber or of cutting out. 

23. In the formation of new tables, those can- 
didates who have not played at any existing table 
have the prior right of entry. Others decide 
their right to admission by cutting. 

24. When one or more players belonging to 
an existing table aid in making up a new one, 
he or they shall be the last to cut out. 

25. A player who cuts into one table, while 
belonging to another, shall forfeit his prior right 



18 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



of re-entry into the latter, unless he has helped 
to form a new table. In this event he may sig- 
nify his intention of returning to his original 
table when his place at the new one can be filled. 

26. Should any player quit the table during 
the progress of a rubber, he may, with the con- 
sent of the other three, appoint a substitute to 
play during his absence; but such appointment 
shall become void at the conclusion of that rub- 
ber and shall not in any way aflfect the substi- 
tute's rights. 

27. If any one break up a table, the remaining 
players have a prior right at other tables. 

28. The pack must not be shufHed below the 
table nor so that the face of any card may be 
seen. 

29. The dealer's partner must collect the 
cards from the preceding deal and has the first 
right to shufHe the cards. Each player has the 
right to subsequently shufHe. The dealer has 
the right to shuffie last; but, should a card or 
cards be seen during the shufiling, or while giv- 
ing the pack to be cut, he must re-shuflfle. 

30. After shuffling, the cards, properly col- 
lected, must be placed face downward to the 
left of the next dealer. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 19 



THE DEAL 

31. Each player deals in his turn; the order 
of dealing is to the left. 

32. The player on the dealer's right cuts the 
pack, and in dividing it he must leave not fewer 
than four cards in each packet; if in cutting or 
in replacing one of the two packets a card be 
exposed, or if there be any confusion or a doubt 
as to the exact place in which the pack was 
divided, there must be a fresh cut. 

33. When the player whose duty it is to cut 
has once separated the pack, he can neither re- 
shuffle nor re-cut, except as provided in Law 32. 

34. Should the dealer shuffle the cards after 
the cut, the pack must be cut again. 

35. The fifty- two cards shall be dealt face 
downward. The deal is not completed until the 
last card has been dealt. 

36. There is no penalty for a misdeal. The 
cards must be re-dealt. 

A NEW DEAL 

37. There must be a new deal: 

A. If the cards be not dealt into four packets, 

one at a time and in regular rotation, 
beginning at the dealer's left. 

B. If, during a deal or during the play, the 

pack be proven incorrect or imperfect. 



20 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



C. If any card be faced in the pack, or be 

exposed during the deal, on, above, or 
below the table. 

D. If any player have dealt to him a greater 

number of cards than thirteen, whether 
discovered before or during the play. 

E. If the dealer deal two cards at once and 

then deal a third before correcting the 
error. 

F. If the dealer omit to have the pack cut and 

either adversary calls attention to the 
fact prior to the completion of the deal, 
and before either adversary has looked 
at any of his cards. 

G. If the last card does not come in its regu- 

lar order to the dealer. 

38. Should three players have their right 
number of cards, but the fourth, less than thir- 
teen, and not discover such deficiency until he has 
played, the deal stands; he, not being dummy, 
is answerable for any established revoke he may 
have made as if the missing card or cards had 
been in his hand. Any player may search the 
other pack for it or them. 

39. If, during the play, a pack be proven 
incorrect or imperfect, such proof renders the 
current deal void, but does not affect any prior 
score. (See Law 37b.) If, during or at the con- 
clusion of the play, one player be found to hold 
more than the proper number of cards and an- 
other have an equal number less, the hand is void. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 21 



40. A player dealing out of turn or with the 
adversaries' cards, may be corrected before the 
last card is dealt; otherwise the deal must stand 
and the game proceed as if the deal had been 
correct. A player who has looked at any of his 
cards may not correct such deal, nor may his 
partner do so. 

41 . A player can neither cut, shufSe, nor deal for 
his partner without the permission of his adver- 
saries. 

DECLARING TRUMPS 

42. The dealer, having examined his hand, 
must declare to win at least one odd trick, either 
with a trump suit or at no-trumps. 

43. After the dealer has made his declaration, 
each player in turn, commencing with the player 
on the dealer's left, has the right to pass, to make a 
higher declaration, to double the last declaration 
made, or to re-double a declaration which has 
been doubled, subject to the provisions of Law 54. 

44. A declaration of a greater number of 
tricks in a suit of lower value, which equals the 
last declaration in value of points, shall be con- 
sidered a higher declaration, e. g., a, declaration 
of three spades" is a higher declaration than 
"one club," and ''three clubs" is higher than 
"two royal spades." 



22 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



45. A player in his turn may over-bid the pre- 
vious declaration any number of times, and he 
may also over-bid his partner, but he cannot 
over-bid his own declaration which has been 
passed by the other three players. 

46. The player who makes the final declara- 
tion shall play the combined hands of himself 
and partner (the latter becoming dummy), unless 
the winning suit was first bid by the partner, in 
which case he, no matter what bids have inter- 
vened, shall play the hand. 

47. When the player of the two hands (here- 
inafter termed the declarant") wins at least as 
many tricks as he declared to do, he scores the 
full value of the tricks won (see Laws 4 and 6). 
When he fails, his adversaries score in the 
honour column 50 points for each under-trick, 
i. e., each trick short of the number declared; 
or, if the declaration have been doubled or re- 
doubled, 100 or 200, respectively, for each such 
trick, neither the declarer nor his adversaries 
score anything toward the game. 

48. The loss on the declaration of "one 
spade" is Kmited to 100 points, whether doubled 
or not, unless re-doubled. Honours are scored as 
held. 

49. If a player make a declaration (other than 
passing) out of turn, either adversary may de- 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 23 



mand a new deal or may allow the declaration 
so made to stand, in which case the bidding shall 
continue as if the declaration had been in order. 

50. If a player make an insufhcient or im- 
possible declaration either adversary may de- 
mand that it be penalised, provided such demand 
be made before an adversary has passed, doubled, 
or declared. In case of an insufhcient declara- 
tion the penalty is that the declarer must make 
his bid^sufficient and his partner is debarred from 
making any further declaration unless an adver- 
sary subsequently bids or doubles. In case of 
an impossible declaration the penalty is that the 
declarer is considered to have bid to take all the 
tricks and his partner cannot further declare un- 
less an adversary subsequently bids or doubles. 
Either adversary, instead of accepting the im- 
possible declaration, may demand a new deal or 
may treat his own or his partner's last previous 
declaration as final. 

51. If, after the final declaration has been 
made, an adversary of the declarer gives his part- 
ner any information as to a previous declaration, 
whether made by himself or by an adversary, 
the declarer may call a lead from the adversary 
whose next turn it is to lead ; but a player is en- 
titled to inquire, at any time during the play of 
the hand, what was the final declaration. 



24 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



52. A declaration legitimately made cannot 
be altered after the next player has passed, de- 
clared, or doubled. Prior to such action by the 
next player, a declaration inadvertently made 
may be corrected. 

DOUBLING AND RE-DOUBLING 

53. The effect of doubling and re-doubling is 
that the value of each trick over six is doubled 
or quadrupled, as provided in Law 4; but it 
does not alter the value of a declaration, e. g., 
a declaration of ^' three clubs" is higher than 
^' two royal spades" even if the royal-spade dec- 
laration has been doubled. 

54. A player cannot double his partner's dec- 
laration nor re-double his partner's double, but 
he may re-double a declaration by his partner 
which had been doubled by an adversary. 

55. The act of doubhng, or re-doubling, re- 
opens the bidding. When a declaration has 
been doubled or re-doubled, any player, includ- 
ing the declarant or his partner, can, in his 
proper turn, make a further declaration of 
higher value. 

56. When a player, whose declaration has 
been doubled, makes good his declaration by 
winning at least the declared number of tricks, 
he scores a bonus which consists of 50 points 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 25 



in the honour column for winning the number 
of tricks declared and a further 50 points for 
each additional trick he may win. If he or his 
partner has re-doubled, the bonus is doubled. 

57. If a player double out of turn, either 
adversary may demand a new deal. 

58. When the final declaration has been made 
the play shall begin, and the player on the left 
of the declarer shall lead. 

DUMMY 

59. As soon as the player to the left of the 
declarant has led, the declarant's partner shall 
place his cards face upward on the table, and the 
duty of playing the cards from that hand shall 
devolve upon the declarant. 

60. Before placing his cards upon the table 
the declarant's partner has all the rights of a 
player, but after so doing takes no part what- 
ever in the play except that he has the right: 

A. To ask the declarant whether he has any 

of a suit which he may have renounced; 

B. To call the declarant's attention to the 

fact that too many or too few cards 
have been played to a trick; 

C. To correct the claim of either adversary to 

a penalty to which he is not entitled; 

D. To call attention to the fact that a trick 

has been erroneously taken by either 
side; 



26 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



E. To participate in the discussion of any- 

disputed question of fact after it has 
arisen between the declarant and either 
adversary; 

F. To correct an erroneous score. 

61. Should the declarant's partner call atten- 
tion to any other incident of the play in con- 
sequence of which any penalty might have been 
exacted, the declarant is precluded from exact- 
ing such penalty. 

62. If the declarant's partner, by touching a 
card or otherwise, suggest the play of a card 
from dummy, either adversary may, without 
consultation, call upon the declarant to play or 
not to play the card suggested. 

63. Dummy is not liable to the penalty for a 
revoke; if he revoke and the error be not dis- 
covered until the trick is turned and quitted, 
whether by the rightful winners or not, the trick 
must stand. 

64. A card from the declarant's own hand is 
not played until actually quitted; but should 
he name or touch a card in the dummy, such 
card is considered as played unless he, in 
touching the card, say, ''I arrange," or words 
to that effect. If he simultaneously touch two 
or more such cards, he may elect which one to 
play. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 27 



CARDS EXPOSED BEFORE PLAY 

65. If, after the cards have been dealt, and 
before the trump declaration has been finally 
determined, any player lead or expose a card, 
the partner of the offending player may not make 
any further bid during that hand, and the card 
is subject to a call. When the partner of the 
offending player is the original leader, the de- 
clarant may prohibit the suit of the exposed card 
being the initial lead. 

66. If, after the final declaration has been 
accepted and before a card is led, the partner 
of the player who has to lead to the first trick 
expose a card, the declarant may, in addition to 
calling the card, prohibit the lead of the suit of 
the exposed card; should the rightful leader ex- 
pose a card it is subject to call. 

CARDS EXPOSED DURING PLAY 

67. All cards exposed after the original lead 
are liable to be called, and such cards must be 
left face upward on the table. 

68. The following are exposed cards: 

First. — Two or more cards played at once. 

Second. — Any card dropped with its face 
upward on the table, even though 
snatched up so quickly that it can- 
not be named. 



28 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Third. — Any card so held by a player that 
his partner sees any portion of its face. 

Fourth. — Any card mentioned by either ad- 
versary as being held by him or his 
partner. 

69. A card dropped on the floor or elsewhere 
below the table, or so held that an adversary 
but not the partner sees it, is not an exposed 
card. 

70. If two or more cards be played at once 
by either of the declarant's adversaries, the de- 
clarant shall have the right to call any one of 
such cards to the current trick, and the other 
card or cards are exposed. 

71. If, without waiting for his partner to play, 
either of the declarant's adversaries play on the 
table the best card or lead one which is a win- 
ning card, as against the declarant and dummy, 
and continue (without waiting for his partner 
to play) to lead several such cards, the declarant 
may demand that the partner of the player in 
fault win, if he can, the first or any other of 
these tricks, and the other cards thus improp- 
erly played are exposed cards. 

72. If either or both of the declarant's adver- 
saries throw his or their cards on the table face 
upward, such cards are exposed and are Hable 
to be called; but if either adversary retain his 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 29 



hand he cannot be forced to abandon it. Cards 
exposed by the declarant are not Hable to be 
called. If the declarant say, ''I have the rest," 
or any other words indicating that the remain- 
ing tricks or any number thereof are his, he may 
be required to place his cards face upward on 
the table. His adversaries are not liable to have 
any of their cards called should they thereupon 
expose them. 

73. If a player who has rendered himself 
liable to have the highest or lowest of a suit 
called (Laws 80, 86, and 94) fail to play as 
directed, or if, when called on to lead one suit 
he lead another, having in his hand one or more 
cards of the suit demanded (Laws 76 and 94), 
or if, called upon to win or lose a trick, he fail 
to do so when he can (Laws 71, 80, and 94), he 
is liable to the penalty for revoke, unless such 
play be corrected before the trick is turned and 
quitted. 

74. A player cannot be compelled to play a 
card which would oblige him to revoke. 

75. The call of an exposed card may be re- 
peated until such card has been played. 

LEADS OUT OF TURN 

76. If either of the declarant's adversaries lead 
out of turn, the declarant may either treat the 



30 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



card so led as an exposed card, or may call a 
suit as soon as it is the turn of either adversary 
to lead. 

77. If the declarant lead out of turn, either 
from his own hand or from dummy, he incurs 
no penalty; but he may not rectify the error 
after the second hand has played. 

78. If any player lead out of turn and the 
other three follow, the trick is complete and the 
error cannot be rectified; but if only the second, 
or second and third play to the false lead, their 
cards may be taken back; there is no penalty 
against any except the original offender, who, 
if he be one of the declarant's adversaries, may 
be penalised as provided in Law 76. 

79. If a player called on to lead a suit have 
none of it, the penalty is paid. 

CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR 

80. Should the fourth hand, not being dummy 
or declarant, play before the second, the latter 
may be called upon to play his highest or low- 
est card of the suit played or to win or lose the 
trick. 

81. If any one, not being dummy, omit play- 
ing to a trick and such error be not corrected 
until he has played to the next, the adversaries 
or either of them may claim a new deal; should 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 31 



they decide that the deal is to stand, the surplus 
card at the end of the hand is considered to 
have been played to the imperfect trick, but 
does not constitute a revoke therein. 

82. When any one, except dummy, play two or 
more cards to the same trick and the mistake 
be not corrected, he is answerable for any con- 
sequent revokes he may have made. If during 
the play the error be detected, the tricks may 
be counted face downward, to see if any contain 
more than four cards; should this be the case, 
the trick which contains a surplus card or cards 
may be examined and the card or cards restored 
to the original holder, who (not being dummy) 
shall be Kable for any revoke he may meanwhile 
have made. 

THE REVOKE 

83. A revoke occurs when a player, other 
than dummy, holding one or more cards of the 
suit led, plays a card of a different suit. It 
becomes an estabhshed revoke if the trick in 
which it occurs be turned and quitted by the 
rightful winners (i. e., the hand removed from the 
trick after it has been turned face downward on 
the table) ; or if either the revoking player or his 
partner, whether in turn or otherwise, lead or 
play to the following trick. 



32 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



84. The penalty for each estabhshed revoke 
shall be: 

A When the declarant revokes, his, adver- 
saries add 150 points to their score in 
the honour column in addition to any 
penalty which he may have incurred 
for not making good his declaration. 

B. If either of the adversaries revoke, the 

declarant may either add 150 points 
to his score in the honour column or 
may take three tricks from his oppo- 
nents and add them to his own. Such 
tricks may assist the declarant to 
make good his contract, but shall not 
entitle him to score any bonus in the 
honour column, in the case of the 
declaration having been doubled or 
re-doubled. 

C. When more than one revoke is made dur- 

ing the play of the hand, the penalty 
for each revoke after the first shall be 
100 points in the honour column. 

A revoking side cannot score, except honours 
and chicane. 

85. A player may ask his partner if he have 
a card of the suit which he has renounced; 
should the question be asked before the trick 
is turned and quitted, subsequent turning and 
quitting does not estabhsh a revoke; and the 
error may be corrected unless the question be 
answered in the negative, or unless the revoking 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 33 



player or his partner has led or played to the 
following trick. 

86. If a player correct his mistake in time 
to save a revoke, any player or players who have 
followed him may withdraw their cards and sub- 
stitute others, and the cards so withdrawn are not 
liable to be called. If the player in fault be one 
of the declarant's adversaries, the card played 
in error is exposed, and the declarant may call 
it whenever he pleases or he may require the 
offender to play his highest or lowest card of 
the suit to the trick. 

87. If the player in fault be the declarant, 
the eldest hand may require him to play the 
highest or lowest card of the suit in which he 
has renounced, provided both of the adversaries 
have played to the current trick; but this pen- 
alty cannot be exacted from the declarant when 
he is fourth in hand, nor can it ever be enforced 
from dummy. 

88. At the end of a hand the claimants of a 
revoke may search all the tricks. If the cards 
have been mixed, the claim may be urged and 
if possible proven; but no proof is necessary 
and the claim is established if, after it has been 
made, the accused player or his partner mix 
the cards before they have been sufficiently ex- 
amined by the adversaries. 



34 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



89. A revoke must be claimed before the 
cards have been cut for the following deal. 

90. Should both sides revoke, the only score 
permitted shall be for honours or chicane. If 
one side revoke more than once, the penalty of 
100 points for each extra revoke shall then be 
scored by the other side. 

GENERAL RULES 

91. There must not be any consultation be- 
tween partners as to the enforcement of penal- 
ties. If they do so consult, the penalty is paid. 

92. Once a trick is complete, turned, and 
quitted, it must not be looked at (except under 
Law 82) until the end of the hand. 

93. Any player during the play of a trick or 
after the four cards are played, and before they 
are touched for the purpose of gathering them 
together, may demand that the cards be placed 
before their respective players. 

94. If either of the declarant's adversaries, 
prior to his partner's playing, call attention to 
the trick, either by saying it is his, or by naming 
his card or drawing it toward him without being 
requested so to do, the declarant may require 
such partner to play his highest or lowest card 
of the suit led, or to win or lose the trick. 

95. Either of the declarant's adversaries may 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 35 



call his partner's attention to the fact that he is 
about to play or lead out of turn; but if, during 
the play of a hand, he make any unauthorised 
reference to any incident of the play, or to any 
bid previously made, the declarant may call a 
suit from the adversary whose turn it is next to 
lead. 

96. In all cases where a penalty has been 
incurred, the offender is bound to give reason- 
able time for the decision of his adversaries; 
but if a wrong penalty be demanded none can 
be enforced. 

97. Where the declarant or his partner has 
incurred a penalty, one of his adversaries may 
say, '^Partner, will you exact the penalty or 
shall I?" but whether this is said or not, if 
either adversary name the penalty, his decision 
is final. 

NEW CARDS 

98. Unless a pack is imperfect, no player 
shall have the right to call for one new pack. 
If fresh cards are demanded, two packs must be 
furnished. If they are produced during a rub- 
ber, the adversaries shall have the choice of the 
new cards. If it is the beginning of a new rub- 
ber, the dealer, whether he or one of his adver- 
saries is the party calling for the new cards, 



36 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



shall have the choice. New cards must be called 
for before the pack is cut for a new deal. 

99. A card or cards torn or marked must be 
replaced by agreement or new cards furnished. 

BY-STANDERS 

100. While a by-stander, by agreement among 
the players, may decide any question, he must 
on no account say anything unless appealed to; 
and if he make any remark which calls atten- 
tion to an oversight affecting the score, or to 
the exaction of a penalty, he is Hable to be 
called upon by the players to pay the stakes 
(not extras) lost. 



THE LAWS OF THREE-HANDED 
AUCTION BRIDGE 

The laws are the same as those of Auction 
Bridge, except as varied by the following: 

1. The game is played by three players, all 
against all; the table being complete with four 
players. 

2. The player who cuts the lowest card has 
the first deal; the player cutting the next lowest 
cards sits on the dealer's left, and the remain- 
ing player on the dealer's right. The cards are 
dealt as at Auction Bridge, but the cards dealt 
to dummy are not taken up until after the final 
declaration has been made. If, whilst dealing, 
a card be exposed, there must be a new deal. 

3. The dealer makes his declaration, and the 
bidding continues as at Auction Bridge, except 
that the players sitting opposite each other are 
not partners, and their declarations are on their 
own account. There shall be no new deal on 
account of a player making a declaration out 
of turn, but the player so offending shall forfeit 
50 points to each of the players; the right to 
declare remaining with the player whose turn 
it was to make a declaration. The player mak- 

37 



38 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



ing the final declaration {i. e., the declaration 
that has been passed by the other two players) 
plays his own hand and that of dummy against 
the other two players, who then, and for that 
particular hand, become partners. If one of the 
players happen to be sitting opposite the declar- 
ant, he must move into the vacant seat at the 
table, thereby facing the player who becomes 
his partner for that hand. 

4. If, after the deal has been completed and 
before a card is led, any player expose a card 
from his hand, he shall forfeit 100 points to 
each of the other players; and the declarant — 
if he be not the offender — may call upon the 
eldest hand not to lead from the suit of the ex- 
posed card. If he does not exercise this right, 
the card must be left on the table as an exposed 
card. If the card be exposed by the declarant, 
after the final declaration has been made, there 
is no penalty. 

5. If a player double out of turn, he forfeits 
100 points to each of his adversaries, and the 
player whose declaration has been so doubled 
shall have the right to say whether or not the 
double shall stand. The bidding is then re- 
sumed; but if the double has been disallowed, 
the said declaration cannot be doubled by the 
player on the right of the offender. 



THE LAWS OF AUCTION BRIDGE 39 



6. The rubber consists of four games; but 
when two games have been won by the same 
player, the other or others are not played. 

7. When the declarant makes good his decla- 
ration, he scores as at Auction Bridge; when 
he fails to do so, he loses to each of his adver- 
saries. 

8. The scoring is the same as at Auction 
Bridge, except with regard to honours, which 
are scored by each player severally, i. e., each 
player who has one honour in spades scores 2; 
each player having two honours in spades scores 
4; a player holding three honours in spades 
scores 6 ; a player holding four honours in spades 
scores 16; and a player holding five honours in 
spades scores 20, and similarly for the other 
suits. In a no-trump declaration, aces count 
10 each; and if all four be held by one player, 
100. 

9. One hundred points are scored by each 
player for every game he wins, and the winner 
of the rubber adds a further 250 points to his 
score. 

10. At the conclusion of the rubber, the total 
scores obtained by each player are added up 
separately, and each player wins from, or loses 
to, each other player the difference between his 
score and that of the said other player. 



ETIQUETTE OF AUCTION BRIDGE 

A code is compiled for the purpose of suc- 
cinctly stating laws and for fixing penalties for 
an offence. To offend against a rule of etiquette 
is far more serious than to offend against a law; 
for, while in the latter case the offender is sub- 
ject to the prescribed penalties, in the former his 
adversaries have no redress except, perhaps, a 
refusal to continue the play. 

1. Declarations should be made in a simple 
manner, thus: "one heart," "one no-trump," 
"no," "no more," or "I pass," or "I double." 

2. Aside from his legitimate declarations, a 
player should not give any indication by look, 
word, or gesture as to the nature of his hand or 
as to his pleasure or displeasure at a play, a bid, 
or a double. Therefore, mannerisms cannot be 
too carefully avoided. 

3. Cultivate uniformity; let there be no re- 
markable haste or hesitation in bidding or pass- 
ing; try always to use the same formula of words, 
and do not call attention to the score after the 
cards have been dealt. 

4. If a player demand that the cards be 
placed, he should do so for his own information, 

40 



ETIQUETTE OF AUCTION BRIDGE 41 



and not to call his partner's attention to any 
card or play. 

5. No player, other than the declarant, should 
lead until the preceding trick is turned and 
quitted, nor, after having led a winning card, 
should he draw another from his hand before 
his partner has played to the current trick. 

6. A player should not play a card with such 
emphasis as to draw attention to it, nor should 
he detach one card from his hand and subse- 
quently play another. 

7. A player should not purposely incur a pen- 
alty because he is willing to pay it, nor should 
he make a second revoke to conceal a first. 

8. Players should avoid discussion and refrain 
from talking during the play, as it may be annoy- 
ing to players at the table or to those at other 
tables in the room. 

9. The dummy should not leave his seat for 
the purpose of watching his partner's play; 
neither should he call attention to the score nor 
to any card or cards that he or the other players 
hold, nor to any bid previously made. 

10. If the declarant say, ''I have the rest," 
or any words indicating the remaining tricks 
are his, and one or both of the other players 
should expose his or their cards, or request the 
declarant to play out the hand, he should not 



42 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



allow any information so obtained to influence 
his play nor take any finesse not announced by 
him at the time of making such claim, unless it 
had been previously proven to be a winner. 

11. No player should look at any of his cards 
until the deal is completed. 

12. It is often difficult to refrain from show- 
ing pleasure at the accomplishment of a desired 
purpose, but undue elation is most aggravating 
to the adversaries. 

13. Do not make a dig at the adversaries by 
confiding to your partner that your success was 
due to an ill-judged play of the opponent. 

14. It is not good form to complain of poor 
cards, as you imply that the adversaries profit 
by your weak hands, and not by their skill. 

15. The better players rarely criticise unless 
asked to do so; it is usually the inexperienced 
player who offers an astonishing amount of gra- 
tuitous and unsought-for advice. 

16. Do not tell your partner, after seeing all 
the cards, what he should have done, but think 
what you would have done in your partner's 
place. Do not criticise at all, but, if you must, 
criticise fairly. 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME 



< u T T « N < AND D E A L I N G 

Auction Bridge is played by four persons. 
The cutting and dealing are identical with 
Bridge. 

In cutting the ace is low; and, as between cards 
of otherwise equal value, the lowest is the heart, 
next the diamond, then the club, and the highest 
the spade. 

In cutting for partners, the two players cutting 
the highest cards play against those cutting the 
lowest. The player who cuts the lowest card of 
all is the dealer. 

AE OPENING BID 

The saHent feature of divergence from Bridge 
is the declaration. The dealer cannot pass the 
make. He must make the opening bid by de- 
claring at least one trick at a specific trump- 
make or at no-trumps. 

THE ORDER OF BIDD^H^ 

This starts the bidding, and gives to the 
player at the left of the dealer, and then to 
each consecutively, according to his position at 

43 



44 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



the table, the right to pass, to double or re- 
double, or to change the previous declaration 
by over-bidding it. 

BIDDING 

Each player bids for the privilege of playing 
the dummy; that is, with his partner's cards 
exposed. This advantage, therefore, is not in- 
cluded in the deal as at Bridge. 

The sole right to win the game rests with the 
side that makes the highest bid ; but, to win game, 
the declarant must first live up to his contract. 
Should he fail to make the number of tricks con- 
tracted for, neither side can score toward game; 
the penalty for such failure is scored by the ad- 
versaries in the honour column. 

A player may over-bid the previous declaration 
even if it be his partner's bid; but he cannot 
change the declaration after three players in suc- 
cession have passed. The bid then becomes final, 
and is the one at which the hand must be played. 

The act of doubling, or of re-doubhng, re-opens 
the bidding and permits any player, including the 
declarant or his partner, in proper turn, to make a 
further declaration of higher value. 

When the final declaration has been made, the 
duty of playing the dummy rests with the player 
who has made the highest bid, and, as between 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME 45 



partners, with the one who first named the par- 
ticular declaration. 

itiE tiiUDiNu VALUE ; THE TRICKS 
The bidding values of the suits are as follows: 



No-trumps lo 

Royal spades 9 

Hearts 8 

Diamonds 7 

Clubs 6 

Spades 2 



The play of the hand rests with the highest 
bidder, but when the value of the bid is equalled 
the award is given to the player who contracts 
for the greater number of tricks : thus the player 
who bids three no-trumps" would be outbid by 
the player bidding ^'five clubs"; the total of each 
bid being thirty. 

A double does not affect the bidding value of 
the tricks. ''Two clubs" would still hold the 
bid over a doubled "one heart," and "two 
diamonds" would take the bid away from a 
doubled "one no-trump." 

THE PENALTY FOR AN UNFULFILLED 

C O N T R A C 1^ 

When a player fails to make the number of 
tricks which he or his partner has agreed to 
take, neither side can score toward game; but 



46 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



the adversaries score 50 points in the honour 
column for each lacking trick; or, if the declara- 
tion were doubled, 100 points for each under- 
trick. Honours and penalties are a separate 
score and do not count toward the game. 

THE RUBBE 

The rubber is the best of three games. 

If the first two games decide the rubber, the 
third is not played. 

The bonus for winning a rubber is 250 points, 
instead of the 100 points scored at ordinary- 
Bridge. It is by no means an uncommon oc- 
currence at Auction Bridge for the winners of 
the rubber to lose in points, owing to penalty 
scores which have accrued against them. 

--VMVERSATION '^'^ '^^■^r C.AMF. 

In making a declaration, the player should 
specify both the suit and the number of tricks 
which he wishes to bid for the privilege of play- 
ing the dummy hand. That is, instead of say- 
ing ^^no-trumps," he should bid "one no- 
trump"; and, instead of ''hearts," "one," 
"two," or "three" hearts as the case may be. 

If a player has decided not to over-bid or 
double, he should avoid the expression "pass," 
since the word is frequently mistaken for 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME 47 



''hearts"; for this reason it is preferable to 
say "No/' ''No more," or "I pass." 

Doubling also is simplified by specifying the suit 
and number of tricks in question; as, "I double 
two diamonds," rather than merely, "I double." 

Should a player, in bidding, fail to declare a 
sufficient number of tricks to over-bid the pre- 
vious declaration, he shall be considered to have 
declared the requisite number; unless an ad- 
versary has condoned the offence by a higher 
declaration, pass, or double. 

When an insufficient declaration has been 
made, the partner of the player in error is de- 
barred from making any further declaration, 
unless one of the adversaries has subsequently 
made a higher bid or doubled. 

After the final declaration has been made no 
player has the right to give his partner any 
information as to the previous bids; but each 
player is entitled to inquire the final declaration 
at any time during the play of the hand. 

SCORING 

The trick and honour count in Auction have 
necessarily been changed by reason of the inno- 
vation of the royal spade and also by reason of 
the change in the values of the club, diamond, 
and no-trump declarations. 



48 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Points toward game can be scored only by the 
successful bidder, and then solely in the event 
of his having fulfilled his contract; although, 
having done so, he is privileged to score all ad- 
ditional tricks made. When the declarant fails 
to fulfil his contract neither side can score 
toward game. 

When a player fails in his obhgation, the ad- 
versaries score 50 points in the honour column 
for each lacking trick; and, in the event of a 
double, 100 points for each under-trick. The 
penalty for not fulfilhng the contract remains 
the same, no matter what the declaration, ex- 
cept at a "one-spade" bid. 

When a player fails to fulfil his contract, the 
number of tricks made, deducted from the num- 
ber contracted for, is the number lost. When 
he has bid for eight tricks and wins but five he 
has lost three tricks. 

When a player fulfils a contract which has 
been doubled, he not only scores all the tricks 
made at twice their original value, but he is also 
given a bonus of 50 points in the honour col- 
umn for so doing; and, in case he secures more 
tricks than his contract called for, he is enti- 
tled to 50 additional points for each extra trick 
made. When the make has been re-doubled these 
amounts are increased to 100 points. 



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49 



50 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



GAME 

A game consists of 30 points obtained by 
tricks alone. At the conclusion of a rubber, the 
trick and honour scores of each side are added; 
the winners of the rubber are credited with 250 
points; and the difference between the com- 
pleted scores is the point value of the rubber. 

Honours are credited to the original holders 
and are scored in the same manner as at Bridge. 
The same is true of "Slam," "Little Slam," 
and "Chicane." The value of honours is not 
affected by doubling or re-doubling. 

REVOKE 

When the declarant revokes, he is not allowed 
to score a single point toward game; moreover, 
the adversaries score 150 points in the honour 
column. This, of course, in addition to any 
penalty which the declarant may have incurred 
for not having secured his contract. 

Should either of the adversaries revoke, the 
declarant has the option of taking three tricks 
from the opponents to add to his own trick 
score, or of annexing 150 points to his honour 
score. The revoke penalty may be utiKsed to 
make good a contract, but does not entitle the 



A DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME 51 



declarant to score a bonus when the bid has 
been doubled or re-doubled. 

When more than one revoke has been made 
during the play of a hand, the loss for each 
revoke after the first is loo points scored in the 
honour column. 

THE *^ A r F T V F, T A ■ n r "-n ^^i' c p k p: •' 

While the penalty of 50 points for each lack- 
ing trick remains the same whether the decla- 
ration be spades or no-trumps, this rule does 
not apply to the ''one-spade" bid, for at this 
declaration, whether doubled or not, the de- 
clarant's loss is limited to 100 points, without 
regard to the number of tricks which may be 
made against him. 

DOUBLING AND RE-DOUBLING 

A double in Auction Bridge is a contract to 
defeat the adversary's declaration; the object 
being to score a loo-point, instead of a 50-point 
bonus for each under-trick. In the case of a 
re-double, the doubling side scores 200 points 
for each lacking trick. 

A player may double a declaration made by an 
adversary, but he cannot double his partner's bid. 

A player may re-double a declaration made 
by his partner and doubled by an adversary. 



52 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Should a player double out of turn, either ad- 
versary may demand a new deal. 

iiii itN^LTY FOR AN UNSUC- 
CESSFUL DOUBLE 

When a player, whose declaration has been 
doubled, fulfils his contract, he scores, toward 
the game, the doubled value of the tricks and 
50 points in the honour column for fulfilKng the 
contract; as well as 50 points for each addi- 
tional trick made. In the case of a re-double, 
this score is increased to 100 points for the con- 
tract and 100 for each over- trick. 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES 



The object of the bid at Auction is to obtain 
the most valuable declarations offered by the 
combined hands. The obvious method of ob- 
taining this result is to convey to the partner 
accurate information as to the character of the 
hand as quickly as possible. 

When Auction was first played, the opening 
bid was "one spade," no matter how good the 
hand, on the theory that it is less harmful to 
deceive the partner than to show strength to 
the adversaries, the object, of course, being to 
ambush an unsuspecting opponent. 

Experience has proven, however, that the 
player who originally bids ''one spade" with a 
strong hand is frequently left in to play an inex- 
pensive declaration, and it is an established fact 
that the quiet player, who rarely makes a bid, 
is the one who wins the fewest games. 

A player who exhibits sound judgment and 
common-sense in the bidding, even if his play 
of the cards be not up to the highest standard, 
is likely to make a more formidable opponent 
than one who has the faculty of playing his 

53 



54 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



cards perfectly, but lacks judgment in the bid- 
ding element ; and it is self-evident that the man 
who plays his cards in a rational manner, mak- 
ing errors only of the technical sort, has a better 
chance at Auction than at Bridge; he is not so 
buffeted about by the waves of ill-luck. 

There is no such thing as a hard-and-fast rule 
in Auction. Every hand should be bid up to 
a certain limit, and the limit of that bid de- 
pends upon the character of the hand, the state 
of score, and the individuality of the opposing 
players. 

A good player should have all the elements 
that go to make the successful poker player, at 
the same time being able to recognise the value 
of a hand. 

It is just as much a fault for a player to under- 
bid as to over-bid, although Auction players, as 
a rule, consider the former almost meritorious 
compared with the latter. It is easy, however, 
on looking into the matter, to see that of the two 
faults a tendency to over-bid is the more venial. 
The player who under-bids allows an opponent 
to secure a contract cheaply; he loses game after 
game by not forcing the other side to the break- 
ing point; he fails to win games by not as- 
suming contracts which he could fulfil. Further 
than this, the honour count is constantly piling 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES 55 



up against the player who habitually under- 
bids and in favour of the one who adopts bolder 
tactics. 

It is not suggested that the rash or inexpe- 
rienced player, who over-bids his hand from 
three to five tricks, is the most desirable part- 
ner one could wish for; but common-sense tells 
that one who bids his cards to their full value, 
and, if he fails, loses but a trick or two, will 
meet with much greater success than the player 
who is unable, or too cowardly, to appreciate 
the value of his hand. 

It has, therefore, become a firmly established 
Auction principle that if a player is able to 
make a valuable declaration he should do so at 
once; both to convey information, and to make 
it more difficult for the adversaries to show 
their strength. This applies particularly to the 
''no-trump" call. 

With a poor hand, a player should keep as 
quiet as the proverbial mouse; proper punish- 
ment is usually meted out to one who boasts 
of power which he does not possess. 

With a good hand, the first goal should be to 
win the game; but the player cannot afford to 
overlook a chance to secure a heavy over-line 
score. All unusually large rubbers owe their 
magnitude to defeated contracts. 



56 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Therefore, a good hand may be put to either 
of two uses: one, to win the game; the other, 
to defeat an adversary who has obviously bid 
for more tricks than he can possibly make. 

Is it better to defeat the adverse declaration 
or to win the game? Briefly, it is more important 
to win the game. In this connection, however, 
there are several considerations which should 
guide the player's decision, and these are fully 
explained in the chapter on doubling. 

The real turning point of the bid depends on 
whether or not the game is in danger. 

When the game is safe, that is, when there is 
no chance that the opponents can win it at 
their declaration, it is decidedly unsound to 
make a doubtful declaration simply to over-call 
an adverse bid. Allow the bid to stand; the 
adversary can do no appreciable harm, and he 
may fail to fulfil his contract. 

But when the game is at stake, that is, when 
they are likely to win it with their bid, then a 
player may take some risk; and, by the use of 
strategy and finesse, try not to allow the oppo- 
nents to obtain the declaration too cheaply. 
Rather bid them up to a breaking point, where 
their contract is in danger. 

This is a desperate situation demanding des- 
perate measures; and one which the player 



GENERAL PRINCIPLES 57 



should not hesitate to meet with a sacrifice of 
a Hmited number of points. In this connection, 
however, he must not go too far. A surrender 
of loo points, in other words an over-bid of one 
trick to save game, is justifiable and sound. 

If the rubber is at stake, assuming that the 
difference between winning and losing a rub- 
ber is 500 points, it is safe to lose 200 points to 
save it. Should this result in ultimately win- 
ning the rubber, there is a gain of 300 points. 

The writer's experience, however, is that the 
"flag-flying" partner is usually to be avoided; 
and the expedient of losing points to save game 
or rubber is suggested only to players of excep- 
tional skill. Unless a player is quite capable 
of judging the amount he is Hkely to lose, he 
wiU find this an expensive recourse. 

Summed up, the general principles are as 
follows : 

First. — That the object of the bid is to give the 

partner early and accurate information. 
Second. — That the no-trump declaration is a 

player's best opening bid if he holds the 

nucleus of such a hand. 
Third. — That a bid of a suit, other than spades, 

should indicate a willingness to play the 

hand with the specified trump. 



58 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Fourth. — That the bid of a diamond or a club 
indicates strength in that particular suit as 
well as some no-trump assistance. 

Fifth. — That with a poor hand a player should 
seek refuge in the safety bid of "one spade." 

Sixth. — That the game is the goal which each 
and every player should strive to reach; 
but that an over-line score of 200 points is 
a fair compensation for not winning game. 

Seventh. — That 300 points above the line, gained 
by defeating the adversary's declaration, is 
a fair return for not grasping an immediate 
and certain rubber. 

Eighth. — ^That when the game is in no danger 
and there is no chance of winning it, a hand 
should be imder-bid rather than over-bid. 

Ninth. — That when the game is in danger, a 
hand should be over-bid rather than tmder- 
bid. 

Tenth. — That this method may prove costly 
unless used within reasonable Umits. 

Eleventh. — That clever conversation based upon 
a correct valuation of the hand is just as 
important as clever play; but a combina- 
tion of the two spells a certain and sure 
success. 



THE OPENING DECLARATION 
BY THE DEALER 

It has been already pointed out that Auction 
gives to the ordinary player of sound common- 
sense a far better chance than the old game, and 
it is probably not stating the case too strongly 
to say that the most important element in 
Auction is the preliminary bidding. Hence 
it is essential to a proper understanding of the 
game that the principles underlying the opening 
bid should be thoroughly grasped. 

The object of the bid at Auction is, of course, 
to attain the best-paying declaration of which 
the two hands admit. That Auction, like 
Bridge, is a game in which two players are con- 
cerned as partners, is a fact that is very fre- 
quently ignored, but cannot be too strongly 
emphasised. In making his opening declara- 
tion, therefore, the dealer has not only to con- 
sider what his own hand is worth, he has also 
to take into consideration the unknown possi- 
bilities of his partner's hand. His object, there- 
fore, in declaring, should be to convey clear and 
accurate information to his partner. 

59 



60 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



There are now five declarations at which the 
game can be won from a love score: no-trump, 
royal spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. Of 
these, the first three, of course, offer the best op- 
portunities. The diamond and the club bid, as 
game-winners, are usually reserved for a more 
or less advanced score, although it not infre- 
quently happens that a diamond or a club dec- 
laration will win the game from love. 

In making the opening declaration the dealer 
should be influenced by the following considera- 
tions: 

First. — Has he the requisite strength for a no- 
trump declaration? 

Second. — Is his long suit sufficiently strong to 
declare, and is the side strength adequate to 
win the game with ordinary assistance from 
his partner? 

Third. — Is his long suit worth showing in order 
to direct his partner's lead in case an op- 
ponent bids no-trumps? 

Fourth. — Is his hand sufficiently strong in one or 
more suits to justify a bid indicative of no- 
trump assistance ? 

When Auction was first played the foundation 
of the game was the no-trump call, and a large 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 61 



majority of the hands played were no-trumps. 
As the game has developed, however, no-trumps 
have decreased in value, diamonds and clubs have 
increased, and royal spades have been introduced. 
Consequently, the no-trump call no longer pre- 
ponderates unduly at the expense of the others. 
Nevertheless, it is still the easiest way to attain 
the game, and a question that the player con- 
stantly has to decide is whether or not a no- 
trump is safer than a suit declaration. This is 
particularly the case when the alternative lies 
between no-trumps and royal spades, or between 
no-trumps and hearts. 

Players generally do not appreciate the advan- 
tage of the ^'one no-trump" call by the dealer. 
That advantage lies principally in the fact that, 
while it cannot lose more than any other declara- 
tion, it is the easiest way to win the game. It 
may be well here to enumerate the reasons which 
recommend the "one- without" call in auction: 

First. — It offers the best chances for game. 

Second. — It shuts out the adversary's "one no- 
trump" bid, and against equal strength, the 
declarant's greater facility in combining the 
two hands, gives him a decided advantage. 

Third. — It forces on the opponents a "two" in- 
stead of a "one" trick call, which suggests 



62 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



probable weakness to the partner, and thus 
influences his "say." 
Fourth. — It is rarely doubled, since the call is 
either difficult to defeat, or the double, by 
re-opening the bidding, offers an outlet of 
escape. 

Fifth. — Above all, if the contract is broken, the 
loss is no greater than it would have been at 
an equally unsuccessful make, the penalty 
being fifty points above the line for each 
lacking trick at whatsoever declaration. It 
may win more and cannot lose more. 

It is thus apparent that, with ordinary strength, 
the ''one no-trump" is the most advantageous 
bid. It is by long odds the dealer's best at- 
tack. 

THE DEALER'S NO-TRUMP BID 

It should not be assumed that, merely because 
the no-trump call offers so many advantages, 
a player should make the bid without the nu- 
cleus of a no-trump declaration. It is to be 
presumed that a player either holds protec- 
tion in three suits with a hand worth at least 
three tricks, or that he holds an established suit 
and one or more cards of re-entry. Any hand 
which would admit of a sound no-trump dec- 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 63 



laration at Bridge offers an equally sound no- 
trump call at Auction. 

In bidding ''one no-trump" the dealer should 
realise that this declaration is rarely dangerous, 
since the opponents, if they hold the strength 
against him, will over-bid him with a declara- 
tion of ''two" in one of the suits. They rarely 
double a one-trick call, but will tempt him or 
his partner to make a bid of "two no-trumps." 

When an opponent holds great strength in 
either spades or hearts, he will surely over-bid 
the dealer's "one no-trump " call with " two royal 
spades " or " two hearts." He may not, however, 
follow the same plan if his strength be in clubs 
or diamonds, unless, of course, the strength is 
exceptional, for the chance for game with these 
declarations is remote. Only at certain stages 
in the score, with twelve or more in the game, is 
an opponent likely to over-bid the dealer's "one 
no-trump " with " two diamonds " or " two clubs." 

At the beginning of a game, therefore, or at 
a love score, the dealer should be cautious about 
declaring "no-trumps" when the weakness of 
the hand is in either clubs or diamonds. It is 
much safer to do so when the weakness is in 
spades or hearts. The reason for this has been 
stated above. 

In a "no-trump" declaration aces are, of 



64 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



course, useful, but they are not essential. The 
honours in Auction are scored in the same man- 
ner as in Bridge, but their value is not in the 
same proportion because of the added worth 
of the rubber. 

The dealer should declare no-trump: 

First. — On all sound Bridge no-trumpers. 

Second. — On hands protected in all the suits, 
with or without aces. 

Third. — On hands above average strength, pro- 
vided three suits are protected and the 
weakness of the hand is in either the heart 
or the spade suit. 

Fourth. — With an established club stut and one 
or more re-entry cards in the diamond suit. 

The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's "one no-trump" bid: 



1 



2 



^ J lO 5 



4^ K 9 4 



V K S 

4i Q lO 9 6 

^ K J fa b 

4b K5 



V Q lO 3 
4^ K Q 8 6 



± 

y A lO 7 
4b K Q lO 5 



4b 7 4 



4 A a 3 

4b 9 7 6 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 65 



5^ 

4; A lO 5 2 

4 \: 10 7 ■'{■■ 

4^ A J 7 3 

JL 

V K 10 9 
4; A J 5 3 
♦ Q 8 7 6 
A 5 3 

V A 1 O 7 5 
4^ A J 9 6 

A 7 2 

4^ K J 6 4> 
^ K 1 O 9 8 
452 



V 8 4. 

4^ K Q 8 6 

# K Q J 5 
4^ K 10 5 

¥ 6 

4^ K Q 10 5 
^ A K 10 7 5 
4L K J 10 

10 

V J 10 7 5 
4^ Q 10 6 4 

# K 9 

A A 10 5 

12 

IT 5 2 

4^ A K Q 6 5 2 
^ A K 4^ 
4^ 8 7 



HE DEALER'S SUIT BIDS 

The new values in Auction have changed the 
game to the extent that the original declarations 
are more like those in Bridge, and a safe and 
general rule to follow is that any declaration 
which is sound at Bridge is equally sound at 
Auction. There is some difference, however, 
between the opening bids of the various suits. 



66 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



It is so difficult to win the game from a love 
score wdth either clubs or diamonds that such a 
bid is very apt to encourage the partner to go 
no-trumps. On the other hand, the bid of a 
royal or a heart is likely to discourage a no- 
trump bid from the partner, provided he can 
lend fair assistance to the make. In fact, when 
the dealer bids a royal or a heart, and the second 
player passes, if the partner then bids no-trump, 
it amounts to a confession that he is weak in 
the dealer's suit bid. This rule does not apply, 
however, w^hen the opening declaration is with 
a club or a diamond. Since the dealer's part- 
ner may declare no-trumps merely as a sugges- 
tion that the no-trump declaration affords a bet- 
ter chance for game, his bid impUes fair strength 
in at least two of the other suits, with or with- 
out help in the suit the dealer has first named. 

It is, therefore, self-evident that a player can 
bid both royals and hearts originally with length 
and not strength, provided such declaration is 
supported by other suit cards. 

In Auction there are some who still cling to 
the antiquated idea that royals or hearts should 
not be declared unless the suit is headed by the 
ace or king. The fallacy of this theory was 
showTi in the old game of Auction, and has been 
proven again in the new. 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 67 



A foolish practice adopted by some is a re- 
fusal to bid ''one heart" or "one royal" orig- 
inally because of a lack of strength, and a ten- 
dency to re-enter the bidding on the second or 
third round with a bid of ''two" or even of 
"three" in the suit. 

The reason that prompts such declarations 
is hard to understand. A declaration which is 
not strong enough to declare originally is cer- 
tainly not strong enough to declare "two" or 
"three" later, except to take the partner out of 
a tight place. 

A player holding six hearts to the queen and 
no other tricks should bid "one spade" and 
should never again enter the bidding, except to 
take the partner out of a "one no-trump" call. 
At the same time, if a player should hold six or 
seven royals or hearts, headed by the queen or 
jack, and two or more re-entry cards, he should 
without hesitation bid "one" in his strong suit. 

It seems difficult for some players to grasp 
the difference between clubs and diamonds vs. 
hearts and royals. It has already been pointed 
out that clubs and diamonds invite a no-trumper 
and that hearts and royals discourage such a 
declaration. 

When a player holds length and lacks high- 
card strength in either royals or hearts, and 



68 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



particularly when his side strength consists of 
a long suit rather than of high cards of re-entry, 
his idea in making the opening declaration 
should be to bid so high as to shut out any in- 
formatory bid on the part of the opponents, and 
to discourage any bid on the part of his partner. 
As an illustration of this the following hand is 
given : 

y QJ 108763 
4i Q J 9 8 6 

A 

With such a hand the dealer should start with 
a ''three-heart" bid, and not with a "one- 
heart" bid, which would allow the opponents 
to indicate their strength to each other; a sug- 
gestion of no-trump on the part of an opponent 
might easily result in the loss of the game. The 
merit of a high bid with this type of hand is 
unquestioned. 

This same rule, however, cannot be appHed 
to the diamond or club bid. In the case of 
these it is more essential that the player should 
show high-card strength, and that his hand be 
one which will support a no-trump bid if his 
partner makes it. It is essential to good auc- 
tion play that this difference between the suits 
should be understood and appreciated. 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 69 



Another matter which the dealer has to con- 
sider is that of directing his partner's lead in 
case the no-trump bid is adverse. Any suit that 
is worth having led is worth a bid. 

When Auction was first introduced it was the 
custom to show high-card strength, with or with- 
out length in the suit, to indicate no-trump 
assistance; but with the new count every suit has 
a chance to win the game, and the danger which 
now exists in bidding a suit without length is 
that the partner will over-support the declara- 
tion. A suit, other than spades, therefore, 
should never be bid without length. 

The following recommendations may be laid 
down for the dealer's guidance in making a suit 
declaration: 

First. — By a bid of royals or of hearts to indicate 
length or strength in the suit and a willing- 
ness to play the hand with the trump named. 

Second. — ^By a bid of diamonds or of clubs to 
indicate strength in the suit and no-trump 
assistance. 

Third. — ^By indicating a suit, to suggest the part- 
ner's lead in case the opponent bids no- 
trump. 

Fourth. — Never to bid a suit, other than spades 
without length. 



70 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



A common fault in the novice's play is a 
tendency to indicate a long weak suit. He fails 
to appreciate the value of high-card strength. 
In making his long weak suit he does not reaHse 
that the bid is deceptive in three ways: it in- 
duces the partner to over-estimate the value of 
the combined hands ; it induces him to play for 
supposititious strength when the opponents have 
over-bid with a no-trump; and it suggests a 
lead which in all probability is exactly what the 
opponent desires. Further, it may encourage the 
partner to double, with the loss of the game 
as a consequence, to say nothing of the heavy 
fines above and below the line. 

There is one golden rule that should be rigor- 
ously followed: Never bid a royal or a heart 
with a hand worth fewer than four tricks. 

With a poor hand the dealer should endeavour 
to discourage a forward bid on the part of his 
partner; in fact, if he holds no strength worth 
mentioning, he should never hesitate to seek 
refuge in the safety bid of "one spade," with 
or without spade strength. 

It has become an established custom to show 
some club or diamond strength by a one-trick 
bid, and great strength by a bid of "two." The 
system in itself is sound enough, but its danger 
lies in the fact that players use it to give greater 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 71 



encouragement than the strength of their hands 
warrants. They will bid ''two clubs" with a 
''one-club" hand, or "two diamonds" when the 
hand justifies a bid of but "one" trick. 

Others go to the opposite extreme and invite 
a no-trump declaration from the partner, when 
they themselves hold the no-trump hand. Too 
frequently they are given another opportunity 
to bid, through the mistake of an adversary 
over-anxious to say something; but even so, the 
advantage of the early no-trump call is lost in 
that each adversary has been allowed to show 
the other his strength. 

ROYAL SPADES AND HEARTS VS, 
NO-TRUMPS 

Whenever the dealer has the choice of bidding 
no-trump, a royal, or a heart, the suit make 
should always be given the preference. It is 
infinitely safer, as but one trick more is required 
to win the game, and there is little or no danger 
of the opponents bringing in a suit against a 
trump declaration as so frequently happens at 
no-trump. The soundness of the old Bridge rule 
that "a safe heart is better than a doubtful no- 
trump" is even more clearly proven at Auction, 
and especially when applied to either hearts or 
royals. 



72 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



In Bridge the distribution of the various 
suits is concealed until the lead is made and 
the dummy shown; at Auction the strength is 
indicated by the various bids. The opposing 
players have a more definite idea as to the 
position of the cards, and no-trumpers cannot be 
played by the declarer with the same success 
that they were at Bridge when the opponents 
have been given an opportunity to indicate 
their strength. 

It usually happens that when a game can be 
won with a no-trump call it is an equally certain 
win with a suit declaration. 

Again, when the partner is weak in the suit 
originally bid, he can more easily discourage 
the play of the hand at the initial declaration 
by an over-bid. 

Because of these possibilities for conveying 
mutual information between the partners, the 
royal-spade or heart bid offers the dealer a bet- 
ter chance to reach the best declaration of which 
the two hands are capable than does the more 
valuable no-trump call. 

Next to the original bid of ''one no-trump," 
the ''one-royal-spade" call naturally offers the 
best chance for game; but, unlike the bids of 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 73 



less value, it discourages rather than invites the 
partner's no-trump bid. 

With reasonable spade strength, and either 
some high-card strength in other suits or a long 
side suit, there is always a fair chance to win 
the game at a royal declaration. 

As a rule, however, royal spades should not be 
declared with a hand worth fewer than five tricks 
although the border hne may be drawn at four. 

While four tricks are the minimum number 
required for the royal-spade declaration, such a 
bid is not lacking in danger. The partner may 
justly assume more strength and increase the 
bid to 'Hwo," or even three" tricks. Such a 
bid encourages the partner to increase the con- 
tract, and this is a prime cause of the many se- 
vere losses which are made at Auction. 

It is always dangerous to declare royal spades 
with five, or even six, including but one honour 
and lacking side strength. With five spades 
and two honours, royal spades may be declared 
with or without outside support; but these hon- 
ours should consist of ace-king, king-queen, or 
ace-queen. With less valuable honours the bid 
should be backed by suit strength. 

A bid of seven tricks with a four-trick hand 
is certainly a risk; but it has some compensat- 
ing advantages: 



74 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



First. — When the partner has a trickless hand 
and the contract is defeated, the adversaries 
would have won the game had they not al- 
lowed the bid to stand. 

Second. — When the adversaries are weak in the 
suit declared, the bid often prevents an ad- 
verse no-trump declaration. 

Third. — It may be the means of saving the game 
by directing the partner's lead on the ad- 
versary's no-trump declaration. 

With five spades headed by jack or queen, 
the hand should contain at least two outside 
kings or aces. 

In Auction the games are not won by easy 
stages. The purpose of the bid is not so much 
to win an odd trick as to reach a declaration at 
which the game may be won. A royal-spade 
bid should therefore show a willingness to play 
the hand with the designated trump, and some 
reasonable hope of at least fulfilling the con- 
tract. 



RULES FOR THE "ONE-ROYAL- 
SPADE" BID 

First. — Bid royal spades with length and strength 
in the suit, and a hand worth not less than 
four tricks. 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 75 



Second. — ^Royal spades should not be declared 
with fewer than four. The declaration im- 
plies a willingness to play the hand with a 
spade trump. 

Third. — ^Royal spades may be declared with 
length alone, when the hand contains high- 
card suit strength or length in a side suit. 

Fourth. — The royal-spade and heart declaration, 
unUke the club or diamond, discourages 
rather than encourages the partner's no- 
trump bid. 

The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's ''one-royal-spade" bid: 



1 



2 



m A K J 9 



¥72 

4^ A lO 9 8 



*4 



4 A K Q 8 7 

3 



4^ K Q J 7 5 



4 



¥ 3 : 

^ Q lO 6 4 



^ 1 O 8 7 5 
4^ 6 2 



4k K Q J 8 



# A 

4^ A K J lO 8 6 



5 



6 



lO 8 6 4. 
4^ A K J 9 6 



¥ 6 4 
^52 



4^.AQ 9 8 7 



76 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



7 



8 



V A 5 
4t K 3 2 



JJU A 7 2 



^ A Q J lO 8 6 



^ Q J lO 7 4. 



9 



10 



V A Q 2 

4^ 6 4- 

4 7 5 2 

^ K Q lO 5 3 



4" K' 7 4 
^ J lO 8 5 3 2 



V A K 

4U 5 4 



THE "TWO-ROYAL-SPADE" BID 

There is no reason for a bid of more than 
"one royal spade" with a generally strong hand; 
nor should a higher declaration be made with 
the entire command of the spade suit; for if the 
necessity arise, the bid can always be raised; 
nevertheless, the "two-royal-spade" bid is fre- 
quently made to warn the partner that the hand 
is good for royal spades alone and, used for this 
purpose, has some merit. It has an advantage 
as a protective measure to save game, albeit 
often at the expense of a small score loss. 

The bid of "two royal spades" shuts out the 
opponent's tentative "one no-trump" call, and 
offers him less scope to show suit strength. 

There are many hands which contain a long 
trump suit, but are lacking in high-card suit 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 77 



strength. This type of hand is one which is of 
no assistance to the partner's no-trump decla- 
ration, and its general weakness suggests that 
the opponents will most likely win game at no- 
trump if they are enabled to show each other 
their strength. 

The object of a high bid originally, therefore, 
is to prevent the opponents from showing each 
other their suits, and to warn the partner to 
allow the declaration to stand. 

Among expert players it is not uncommon to 
hear bids of 'Hhree hearts" or ''three royals" 
as an initial bid. But, as stated before, there 
is not the need of a high bid originally when the 
hand is generally strong, because the player can 
later increase his bid if he so wishes. 

As the bid of ''two royal spades" is one that 
the player is extremely likely to retain, the 
dealer should have decided length in the spade 
suit to justify it. 

RULES FOR THE "TWO-ROYAL- 
SPADE" BID 

First. — A bid of "two royal spades" should imply 
length in the suit and a lack of outside 
strength. 

Second. — The object of the bid is to warn the 
partner that the hand is useless except at 



78 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



this make, and, incidentally, to silence the 
opponent. 

The following hands are given as examples of 
the dealer's "two-royal-spade" bid: 

^3 ■ ' 

Jft e ^98532 

V 

^KQJ9763 ^KJ10976 

A ± 

4iJ10984 ^KJ87 

,v 

^KQ10864. ^QJ85432 

A ± 

VQJ108 ^62 
^9 4^ 4. 2 

^ A K 

4kQJ 109643 ^J10964.32 



THE "ONE" OR "TWO HEART" BID 

All that has been said in reference to royal 
spades applies with equal force to the heart 
declaration. This latter bid occupies a very 
prominent position in the game, for, while there 
are probably more royal spades played than 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 79 



any other declaration, the no-trump and the 
heart bids are about equally balanced. 

What has been said in reference to the origi- 
nal high royal bid, such as the initial bid of " two" 
or "three royals," should be followed in refer- 
ence to the heart, to which it applies perhaps 
with even greater force. 

The object of the original "two" or "three 
heart" bid would be to shut out two game- 
winning declarations, no-trumps and royals. 

THE "ONE-DIAMOND" BID 

Diamond declarations differ from the royal- 
spade and heart declarations in that eleven 
tricks of the thirteen are needed to win the 
game from a love score. As a matter x)f fact, 
the diamond and club declarations, after the 
opening bid, are usually revised in favour of 
no-trump, royals, or hearts. It is, indeed, the 
aim of the dealer's partner to suggest a higher 
bid if he holds a strong heart or spade suit; and 
with any general side strength to go no-trumps. 

For an original diamond declaration it is de- 
sirable to hold greater high-card strength than 
for the royal or heart make. 

The dealer should say, in effect, by his bid 
of "one diamond": "Partner, I have fair 



80 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



strength in the diamond suit and you can count 
upon me for some no-trump assistance." 

The above remarks, it should be understood, 
apply only when the score is at love. At a score 
of twelve or more in the game there is an excel- 
lent chance for a diamond declaration to win 
game; and with both length and strength the 
player should not hesitate to bid diamonds orig- 
inally. 

RULES FOR THE " O N E- D I A M O N D '* 



First. — Bid diamonds with both strength and 
length. 

Second. — Be cautious about bidding diamonds 
with length alone. 

Third. — The original diamond declaration should 
indicate a hand worth five tricks. 

Fourth. — The original diamond make is an in- 
vitation to the partner to bid no-trump. 

The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's one-diamond" bid: 



BID 



1 



2 



V 6 3 

jjt K J 4 2 

Q J 8 6 



V 7 2 

4^ 4. 3 



^ A K J 8 6 4 
^ K 6 5 



^72 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 81 



3^ 

Jft K lO 8 2 

y 2 

4k Qe 

V 5 4. 3 
•1^ A K 

x> A 1 O 9 8 6 5 
^72 



4 



^62 

4^ 9 7 6 4 

A 

V A 8 7 

I 1 O 9 5 2 
^ K 7 4 



THE "TWO DIAMOND" BID 

To some players an original two-diamond" 
bid by the dealer would suggest a hand utterly 
worthless, except with diamonds. 

This idea was conceived from the old game, 
when there were but three game-winning decla- 
rations. It is still used by some who have not 
reaUsed that the game has entirely changed. 

At certain stages of the game a high diamond 
bid may be useful, provided the hand contains 
no high-card suit strength. 

With special strength and with the type of 
hand with which it was suggested that a bid of 
"two" or "three royals" be made, an original 
bid of "three" or even "four diamonds" may 
be found useful to cut out information and to 
save game. Such a high bid would naturally 



82 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



warn the partner that the hand was good for 
diamonds alone, and was not one which would 
lend itself as assistance to a no-trumper. 

A hand, however, often contains a great dia- 
mond suit and, at the same time, but slightly 
lacks the no-trump requirements. 

The red make offers a certain score toward 
game. The no-trumper would entail a possible 
loss. With a hand of this character, particu- 
larly when the diamond suit is estabhshed, a 
''two-diamond" bid may be made to suggest 
strong no-trump assistance. The strength, how- 
ever, should be exceptional; since the call may 
force the partner to a two-trick no-trump over- 
bid. 

At a score of 12 or more, or when the game 
can be won without risk at a diamond declara- 
tion, it is not necessary to extend this invita- 
tion. 

The "two-diamond" bid has its chief value 
at a love score, when the no-trumper offers a 
better chance for game. 

RULES FOR THE "TWO-DIAMOND" BID 
First. — ^Bid "two diamonds" with a hand con- 
taining a long and thoroughly established 
diamond suit, with or without other high 
cards. 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 83 



Second. — Bid "two diamonds" holding great dia- 
mond strength when the suit can be estab- 
lished in one lead and the hand contains 
two or more re-entry cards. 

The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's ''two-diamond" bid: 



1 



2 



4^ K J lO 

^ A K Q 8 6 5 

4^ 6 4 



¥ 6 3 
♦ 8 

f AQ J 9 6 4 
4^ A K lO 7 



f> 1 O 9 6 
♦ 3 



4^ K Q J 9 



4 



J S 3 2 



K J 9 d 3 



4^ A K 7 



♦ 8 



5 



6 



V A 6 

4^ K lO 6 4 



V A 1 O 3 
4^ 6 4 




4 Q 4 



9 7 3 



THE "ONE'Cl.UB" BID 



The general rules given previously for the 
diamond declaration apply also to the club 
bid. 



84 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



By inference, the declaration of "one club" 
shows no-trump assistance. It also indicates 
that the dealer has no particular strength in 
hearts or spades. 

The greatest mistake that players make in 
the new game is to bid clubs originally with 
length and not strength. There is nothing 
more misleading and no fault likely to prove 
so costly; the declaration tempts the dealer's 
partner to bid "no-trump," or it may prompt 
a double on his part of the opponents' bid. 

While a bid of "one club" is usually indica- 
tive of length in the suit, this is not always a 
necessity provided the hand contains other side 
strength. 

RULES FOR THE "ONE-CLUB" BID 

First. — Bid clubs with strength in the club suit 
and a hand which will assist a no-trump 
declaration. 

Second. — Clubs may be bid from strength with 

or without length. 
Third.— Do not be tempted to bid clubs from 

length alone. 



The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's "one-club" bid: 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 85 



Jft A K J 8 
4^ 9 6 4 2 

4^ A Q 9 6 5 
A 5 4 2 



V 9 6 4 

Jf» K Q J 5 4 

4^ A 6 2 



^753 
4^ QJ 1 O 8 6 
4 A r< 6 
4^ 4 2 



^ 1 O 6 3 
4^ A K Q 
4 K Q J 
^ 6542 



V K 1 O 7 3 
4^ A Q 9 6 2 

4^ 5 2 



THE DEALER'S BID HOLDING GREAT 
STRENGTH IN THE CLUB SUIT AND 
FAIR STRENGTH IN SPADES OR 
HEARTS 

When a player holds a strong club suit and 
fair strength in spades or in hearts, he should 
start with a club bid. With a hand of this nat- 
ure no-trump presumably offers a better chance 
for game. At any rate the dealer's best defen- 
sive bid is to indicate his strong suit. 

If the partner is unable to make a no-trump 
declaration, the dealer will in all likelihood be 
given an opportunity to re-enter the bidding 



86 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



with a royal-spade or a heart declaration. With 
only fair strength in clubs the suit with a higher 
value should be first named. A strong club dec- 
laration, particularly when the player can start 
with a bid of ''two clubs," is more influential 
as a no-trump invitation than is a royal or 
heart bid. 

With great strength in clubs and decided 
strength in diamonds, it is usually better to 
start with the club suit, since it is safe to pre- 
sume that the change to diamonds can be made 
later. They both afford an equal chance for 
game from a love score. 

When there is only fair, but equal, length and 
strength in both the heart and diamond suits, 
the opening bid should be diamonds, since, if 
it is doubled, it can be changed to the higher 
declaration. 

THE "TWO-CLUB" BID 

The opening bid of "two clubs" should indi- 
cate a thoroughly established suit; but the bid 
may be made with a club suit which can be 
estabhshed in one lead, as well as one or two 
re-entry cards. This bid should indicate very 
strong help for a no-trump make; otherwise it 
is, if anything, harmful; since it shuts out the 
partner's ''one" red call; and, moreover, may 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 87 



be allowed to stand with no chance to win the 
contracted-for eight tricks. 

A "one-club" bid shows strength in the suit 
and answers all ordinary purposes. The "two- 
club" bid is an extreme measure to indicate 
very exceptional strength. 

EXAMPLES OF THE DEALER'S 
"TWO-CLUB" BID 



1 



V J 6 

A K Q 8 7 5 
^ 1 O 8 4 
^32 



V 9 - 

Jft AQJ654 

♦ A Q 7 

♦ lO 6 



3 



4 



^ K 1 O 6 

^ A K J 9 8 6 



9^ 3 2 




O 6 




5 



6 



^53 



^72 

^AK 108532 



A 6 



V J 1 O 2 

^ A K lO 8 4 2 

# : 

^ A Q J 



THE "ONE-SPADE" BW 

The Auction Bridge law limits the loss on a 
"one-spade" bid to loo points. The law ap- 



88 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



plies to "one spade" only; the "two-spade" bid 
forfeits this protection. "One spade" is, there- 
fore, the safety bid; and the best defence with a 
hand which does not admit of a "no-trump" or 
high-card suit declaration. In other words, such 
a hand as would, in Bridge, be declared spades 
on a pass. 

With a weak hand a player should not hesi- 
tate to bid "one spade" with or without a spade 
in his hand. 

An original declaration of "one spade" prac- 
tically says: "Partner, don't expect too much 
from me; I have no strong suit, neither have I 
sufficient scattered strength for a light no- 
trumper." 

But it does not necessarily follow that a bid 
of "one spade" shows a worthless hand. A 
"one-spade" bid is often forced on a player with 
a hand containing as many as three tricks, not 
more; and, sometimes, with "two aces" and in- 
adequate strength to bid any one particular 
suit. 

Therefore, the dealer should declare "one 
spade" on all hands containing neither particu- 
lar suit strength nor sufficient general protection 
for an original no-trump declaration. 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 89 



kULicS FOR THE "ONE-SPADE ElO 

First. — ^Declare "one spade" on all weak hands 

with or without spade strength. 
Secojid. — Do not hesitate to declare spades when 

a longer suit lacks strength. 

The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's "one-spade" bid: 



1 



2 



^ 1 O 6 2 
4^ K 9 6 4< 2 

^53 



4t lO 5 4 

t ^i- 4- 
A 6 3 



3 



4 



V 8 5 
4t A 7 5 



V Q 9 8 7 3 
4; lO 6 3 
♦ 

^642 



4^ 4 2 

5 



6 



K 7 3 



V J B 4- 3 
Jjt A 7 3 



6 4 3 2 



^75 



^732 



7 



8 



V 1 O 8 6 4 : 
^ J 10 5 4 3 



4^ J 9 6 4 2 
^ 9 8 6 4 
4^ 



4^ 6 3 



90 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



THE OPENING BID OF "TWO SPADES" 

It has been suggested in some quarters that 
the initial bid of ''two spades" in the new 
game should indicate general assistance for a 
no-trumper, with protection in the spade suit. 

Others make the claim that a bid of ''two 
spades" should indicate general all-around 
strength, without the spade suit protected, and 
that a bid of "three spades" should be made 
with all such hands when protection is held in 
the spade suit. 

This latter plan has some merit, but it is not 
a call which Auction players could understand 
without a previous arrangement. To use it at 
present, without its general acceptance, would 
be to adopt something that is in the nature of 
a private convention, and those that use this 
method of indicating strength should advise both 
partner and adversary of their intention. 

The logical and sound method of indicating 
no-trump assistance is to bid " two spades," 
holding a protected honour in the spade suit, 
and with hands which contain one or more high 
suit cards. 

To increase this bid to " three spades," on all 
hands which contain fair spade strength, such as 
four cards including two or more honours and 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 91 



especially if these honours consist of ace-king, 
ace-queen, ace- jack, king-queen — or even king- 
jack. A " three-spade " declaration should there- 
fore indicate spade strength slightly below the 
royal-bid requirement and should be supported 
by one or more high cards in other suits. 

No previous understanding is necessary with 
this system; it provides information which is 
logically inferential. 

There are many hands which contain no strong 
suit, and yet contain such general strength that 
they would greatly assist the partner's no-trump 
bid, and yet are of themselves below the standard 
for an original no-trump declaration. 

With such hands, when an honour is held in 
the spade suit, the initial bid is simple — ''two 
spades." 

When, however, strength in the spade suit 
is lacking, the opening bid is not so simple. 

It is true that a ''one- spade" call may discour- 
age a forward bid on the part of the partner. 
Yet this is far safer than a " two-spade " dec- 
laration, which may bring about a serious loss, 
through the protection implied by the bid. 

Since the spade at Auction has been given 
a double value, and is now the most prominent 
suit in the game, it is of the utmost importance 
that advantage be taken of the opening bid to 
indicate strength in the spade suit. 



92 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



As a matter of fact it is a very serious ques- 
tion as to whether a player is not justified in 
bidding ''two spades," holding any two high 
honours in the spade suit, such as ace-queen, 
ace-jack, king-queen, or king-jack, with or with- 
out other spades; and this before indicating club 
or diamond strength. 

The reason for the suggestion is this. A 
player by his bid says: "Partner, if you can 
bid a royal I can assist you." The dealer can 
later enter the bidding with a declaration of 
diamonds or clubs, or whichever his suit may 
be. 

The point to be emphasised is that a royal 
spade will outbid any other declaration except 
no-trumps, and any information given at the 
outset to the partner which may lead him to a 
successful royal bid is something of which ad- 
vantage should be taken. 

RULES FOR THE "TWO-SPADE" BID 

First. — Declare "two spades" with one or more 
honours in the spade suit and with a hand 
which would assist the partner's no-trump 
declaration. 

Second. — Holding two or more high honours in 
spade suit, and only fair strength in hearts, 
diamonds, or clubs, indicate spade strength 
by a bid of "two spades." 



OPENING DECLARATION BY DEALER 93 



Third. — ^Do not bid "two spades'* when you lack 
protection on the spade suit. 

The following hands are given as examples 
of the dealer's ''two" or "three spade" bid: 





1 




2 




S 6 5 




A K* 6 




K Q 7 




4 3 2 




4-3 2 




9 7 5 2 




A Q 9 5 




K J 3 




3 




4 




Q 6 




A r 


♦ 


A lO 5 3 2 




6 4 2 




J ! O 








K 9 8 6 




A Q J 




5 




6 








1 O 9 8 




8 7 6 2 




A Q 5 2 




KQ 9 3 




K Q 4 




7 

# 








Q S ^ 2 






* 


6 4 3 




A Q 9 3 




Q 7 5 






4^ 


AJ lO 


4^ 


Q J 8 6 








I? 




6 5 3 




J lO 


4i 


K J 7 2 




K Q J 








9 8 7 4 


4^ 


A K Q 


4^ 


A 1 O 9 1 



DECLARATIONS BY THE SECOND 
PLAYER 



The second player is in an excellent position, 
for, unlike the dealer, he is not compelled to 
make a declaration. 

There are three methods of procedure open 
to him: an attacking announcement to win 
game, an informatory announcement of his suit, 
which may assist the partner's bid or indicate 
his lead, and a pass. Although his say depends 
largely upon the dealer's opening bid, with the 
large majority of hands, his wisest poHcy is to 
pass. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS ANNOUNCED 

"ONE SPADE" 

The most important feature of the new game 
of Auction is the double value given to spades, 
which has made it both the cheapest and the 
most expensive suit; under the designation 
''royal spades" out-bidding every other suit, 
and only of inferior value to no-trumps. It is, 
therefore, essential that the second player should 
never miss an opportunity of indicating one or 

94 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 95 



more honours in the suit. This he will be able 
to do whenever the dealer bids "one spade." 
He then has two courses open to him : either he 
may double the "one-spade" bid, or he may 
call "two" or even "three spades," his choice 
depending on the length or strength that he 
holds in the spade suit. A bid of "two spades" 
over "one spade" implies greater strength than 
does a double. 

To make clear the principles underlying the 
second player's bidding, it must first be ex- 
plained that he will never be left in to play a 
doubled "one spade," or be forced to play a 
"two-spade" bid. Any bid of this kind on the 
part of the second player is purely informatory, 
and it is obHgatory on his partner, if the third 
player passes, to take him out. 

A double of "one spade" should indicate the 
ace, or the king or queen guarded, and at least 
one other trick in a suit. A bid of " two spades " 
over the dealer's "one-spade" bid would imply 
greater strength; such as any two high honours 
in the suit and an outside trick, or the t3^e of 
hand which is just short of a royal bid. 

A bid of "three spades" would indicate that 
the player held very strong short spades: such 
as ace, king, queen; ace, king, jack; ace, king, 
ten; or ace, queen, jack. The double of "one 



96 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



spade" by the second player should never in- 
vite a lead of that suit from his partner, unless 
the latter himself holds length in the suit. The 
double does not indicate much more than an 
honour in the spade suit. 

It is important that the advantages to be 
gained by this show of short spade strength 
should be fully appreciated, as it can be made 
with much profit and without risk of loss. It 
may perhaps be well to point out in this con- 
nection that a double of '^one spade" or a bid of 
"two" or ''three spades" of necessity shows not 
much outside strength, since, if the player held 
strength in other suits as well as in spades, he 
would have bid no-trumps. Similarly, greater 
strength in the spade suit is precluded, since, 
possessing length, the player would have bid a 
''royal." 

The second player should declare "one no- 
trump" on any fully protected hand. He is 
in a still better position than is the dealer to 
declare a light no-trumper, in that the proba- 
bility of great strength in one of the adversary's 
hands has been eliminated, and his chances for 
success are thus increased. He may reasonably 
assume that there is but one strong hand against 
him. 

As the "one-spade" call is necessarily not 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 97 



indicative of strength in the spade suit, spade 
strength is not essential to the second player's 
''one no-trump" bid. 

With a strong red suit, the second player 
should over-call the dealer's spade announce- 
ment; and this in preference to a doubtful no- 
trumper. 

It is folly to pass the dealer's "one-spade" 
bid with a very strong hand ; for the reason that 
the better the hand the less the likelihood of a 
bid by the third or fourth player. 

It is also extremely important to indicate club 
or diamond strength. The second player should 
not miss this opportunity; it is unlikely that 
he will be allowed another, and any information 
conveyed at the outset simplifies the partner's 
bid and play. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS ANNOUNCED 
"ONE CLUB" OR "TWO SPADES" 

When the dealer has announced "one club'* 
and the second player has the suit twice stopped, 
he should double; not that he expects the double 
to stand, but simply to show his partner that 
he can take care of this suit. This rule applies 
particularly when the player holds some strength 
in another suit, which might lend additional 
assistance to the partner's no-trump bid, but 



98 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



has not sufficient strength to justify a bid of 
no-trumps on his own part. It should also be 
stated that, if a player holds a strong attacking 
declaration, the advantage to be gained by the 
double of ''one club" is that the adversaries 
are most unHkely to raise their club declaration 
to a high contract. There is, therefore, little 
to be gained by lying in ambush, while an early 
show of strength in the opponent's suit may be 
the one thing needed to encourage the partner's 
no-trump bid. 

When the dealer announces "two spades," 
and the second player holds the ace, or the king 
or queen guarded in the suit, he should double, 
provided he has at least another trick in his hand. 
The reasons for this have already been stated. 

It is evident that, without protection in the 
suit named, the second player should adopt de- 
fensive tactics; since his chance to win the game 
at no-trumps is extremely doubtful, if not alto- 
gether out of the question. 

With the type of hand which would have jus- 
tified an original ''two-heart" bid, the second 
player should bid "two hearts" to shut out the 
third player's "one no-trump" call. This ma- 
noeuvre saves many games. 

When lack of protection in the dealer's de- 
clared suit has somewhat ehminated the second 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 99 



player's chance for game at no-trumps, he should 
consider whether or not he holds the requisite 
strength in a suit to justify an attacking declara- 
tion. 

Any really strong suit should, of course, be 
declared; but when the suit is long and strag- 
gling a bid is unsound unless the hand is worth 
at least five tricks; both adversaries may be 
strong and the partner's hand worthless. The 
tendency to over-bid is responsible for many of 
the heavy losses at Auction; and it is the aim 
of experienced players to escape, rather than to 
invite, defeat. 

When the dealer has announced an attacking 
bid, and the second player holds a protected 
honour in the suit declared, he should first con- 
sider whether or not the remaining strength of 
the hand justifies a no-trump bid; and his de- 
cision hinges largely on the state of the adverse 
score. 

When they are apt to win game, and par- 
ticularly when the adverse score is 20 or more, 
the danger in allowing the adversaries to play 
the hand is accentuated; and it is then that the 
player should take chances and bid his hand to 
the full hmit. 

For this purpose the "one no-trump'' bid has 
considerable merit. 



100 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



The partner, with a strong supporting hand, 
may lack protection in the declared suit and, 
for that reason, hesitate to declare no-trump. 

Again, when the fourth hand is worthless, the 
adversaries will undoubtedly raise their bid to a 

two-trick" call; and the second player can then 
retire from the bidding. 

The one danger in a bid of this character is 
that the partner, with only slight assistance, 
may over-bid the third player's "two" red call 
with "two no-trumps"; and, without adequate 
support, there is a possibility of a double with 
its consequent loss. 

When the second player holds double protec- 
tion in the declared suit and two other suits 
guarded, he should bid no-trumps at any score; 
and in extreme cases with but one other pro- 
tected suit. 

With a very strong no-trump hand and no 
protection in the declared suit, he should not 
hesitate to declare no-trumps; there is always a 
chance that the partner will hold protection in 
the lacking suit, besides which the dealer can 
make five, even six, tricks in his suit without 
breaking the "one no-trump" contract. 

With a moderate hand, however, and no pro- 
tection in the suit declared the no-trump bid 
is dangerous. The bid conveys an erroneous 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 101 



impression to the partner, and usually proves 
expensive rather than paying. 

A situation that calls, perhaps, for a little 
study is when the dealer announces either a 
heart, diamond, or club, and when the second 
player holds a no-trump hand of fair strength, 
yet lacks protection in the suit announced by 
the dealer. If this player now bids no-trumps, it 
forces a lead through his partner's hand, which 
will then be exposed. Should the dummy hold 
a protected honour in the suit declared, it will 
undoubtedly be captured and the whole suit be 
made by the opponents. It is, therefore, evi- 
dent that the value of a no-trumper may be de- 
stroyed by the fact that the wrong person makes 
the declaration, and consequently the placing of 
the lead is an important factor in the game of 
Auction. 

It is suggested that the second player, with 
the type of hand as outHned, should invite a 
bid of no-trumps from his partner by bidding 
^'four spades," if the dealer's declaration is a 
heart or a diamond; or by bidding ^' three 
spades," if the dealer's opening declaration is 
a club. 

The information conveyed to the partner 
would be as follows: "Partner, I have a strong 
hand. I hold protection in three suits, but I 
lack protection in the suit which the adversary 



102 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



has named. If you are protected in that suit, 
go no-trumps." 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS ANNOUNCED 
"ONE NO-TRUMP" 

And the second player holds a hand on which 
he would have made the same declaration, he 
is in an embarrassing position. 

There are four courses of procedure open to 
him: 

First. — He can pass; and this he should ordi- 
narily do. A double now affords the oppo- 
nents four avenues of escape. 

Second. — He should only double when he is pre- 
pared to double any *'two-trick" bid. 

Third. — With fair strength in spades or in one of 
the red suits, he should over-call the no- 
tnrnip declaration with a "two-suit" bid; this 
to tempt an opponent to make a "two no- 
trump" declaration ; which the second player 
may then double, and from which the adver- 
saries cannot escape without getting into 
deeper water. 

Fourth. — He can bid " two no-trumps " over the 
dealer's " one no-trump " announcement. 

In this connection, it is a fact that an oppo- 
nent is more Hkely to call ^'two no-trumps" over 
a bid of ''two royals" or ''two hearts" than 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER lOS 



over a "two-diamond" or 'Hwo-club" bid; as- 
suming, of course, a love score. He naturally 
argues that a diamond or club make cannot 
possibly win game, while the royal or heart 
declaration may do so. 

However, in attempting to raise the adver- 
sary's bid with a hand containing equal length 
and approximate strength in two suits, the sec- 
ond player should declare hearts rather than roy- 
als. There is always the danger of a double, 
and, when the first declaration is doubled, the 
other suit offers a means of escape. 

When one player bids to take seven and 
another contracts for eight of thirteen tricks, 
somebody has made a mistake. A hand suf- 
ficiently strong to over-bid one no-trump " with 
" two no-trumps " is sure to save game; and it is 
far easier to defeat the one contract than to ful- 
fil the other. The points which may be made 
toward game are in no way commensurate with 
the amount that may be lost by defeat. 

There are, nevertheless, two stages in the score 
which call for this bid of "two no-trumps" over 
"one." 

First. — ^When the adversary has twenty or more 
on the game, and particularly on the rubber 
game. 



104 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Second. — ^When both sides are ten or more on 
the game. In this latter case, if the con- 
tract is secured, the reward is a game ; while, 
if the adversary is allowed the bid, there is 
a possibility that the game may be lost. 

It is rarely advisable to bid "two no-trumps'' 
over an adversary's ''one" at the beginning of 
a game. The possible loss above the line is too 
great to risk for the sake of twenty points toward 
the game. Auction players should constantly 
keep before them the goal for which they are 
aiming. This is not only, or necessarily, the 
number of tricks bid for, but the attainment 
of the game. 

A large number of Auction players make it 
a practice to over-bid the dealer's "one no- 
trump" by a "two-trick" call with a moderate 
and, very often, a weak hand, the sole object 
being to force an adversary to a "two no- 
trump" call. This is a mistake common to all 
beginners. What can be gained by a doubtful 
declaration which may be doubled, with a hand 
offering no possible chance to defeat the oppo- 
nent in case he decides to increase his contract? 

When the dealer has announced no-trumps, the 
second player should never over-bid unless with 
a fair chance to defeat an increased adverse call, 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 105 



unless he is reasonably sure to fulfil his contract, 
or unless he is willing to sacrifice a limited num- 
ber of points in order to save game. 

If the original bid by the dealer is no-trumps 
and the second player holds an established club 
suit — say five or six clubs to the ace, king, queen, 
and no other tricks in the hand — there is no 
object in bidding ''two clubs," unless the score 
is so far advanced that the second player has a 
chance to win the game. It would also be very 
unwise to double the dealer's no-trump bid, since 
the opponents would then escape with a bid of 
"two royals" or ''two red." 

FORCED DECLARATIONS 
The increased value of the bids in the new 
game brings about much higher declarations than 
used to obtain, and unless the strength is con- 
fined to one player, or to two players as part- 
ners, bidding seldom ceases until after nine or ten 
tricks have been bid for. 

All Auction players must therefore learn to 
distinguish between what are known as free and 
forced delcarations. 

By a forced bid is meant a call which, due to 
a previous announcement, is necessarily higher 
than would have been made as an initial decla- 
ration. 



106 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Forced bids frequently fall to the share of the 
second player. 

A call of ''two diamonds" over the dealer's 
''one-heart" declaration is an example of a 
forced bid, while any declaration after the 
dealer's "one no-trump" call is, of necessity, 
forced. A player in order to indicate his suit is 
forced to a " two-trick" call. 

Much of the heavy penalty loss in Auction is 
caused by players not appreciating the differ- 
ence between free and forced declarations, and 
players \vdll support their partner's bid without 
realising that the partner has already counted 
upon them for a certain number of tricks. In 
making a forced declaration a player almost in- 
variably credits his partner for at least two tricks 
and sometimes three. If he did not do this, the 
chances are he seldom would have a chance to 
indicate his suit. A good general rule to follow, 
therefore, is: be cautious about supporting a 
forced bid except with a hand containing more 
than two tricks. 

When a player contemplates increasing his 
partner's contract, he should differentiate be- 
tween the two calls, and credit a forced bid with 
no greater strength than would justify an initial 
declaration. 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 107 



RULES FOR THE SECOND PLAYER 

First. — ^Never miss an opportimity to indicate 

spade strength. 
Second. — ^Indicate club or diamond strength. 

There is seldom a second opportunity. 
Third. — Show any strong suit when the dealer 

has invited a no-trump declaration. 
Fourth. — Bid red or a royal with great strength — 

and this in preference to a doubtful no- 

trumper. 

Fifth. — Bid no-trumps with an average hand and 
a protected honour in the suit originally de- 
clared. 

Examples of hands with which the second 
player should double the dealer's ''one-spade" 
bid: 



1 



2 



^ K J 7 3 
4i Q 6 4 2 



^ A lO 8 5 
4^ Q J 8 4 



^ A lO 8 



3 



4 



^86 
4^ 9 6 3 



^ J 7 2 
^ K Q 8 5 



^ K J 7 



: O 4- 



1^ 4 3 2 
^ K lO 7 



108 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



V J lO 6 3 

♦ Q 

^ A 1 O 5 3 
4^ K 9 5 2 



V AQ 6 
4I1 6 5 3 2 
4 1 O 9 8 
4^ A 8 4 



Examples of hands with which the second 
player should bid ''two spades": 



¥ K Q 2 

^AQ75 4;954>3 

♦ 1 O 8 7 
^KQ95 4^AKJ 



V 1 O 4 2 
4i 8 7 4. 



♦ KQ J 




4i 



K 4 

Q J 10 8 6 

6 

K J 9 8 



V 5 

4^ K J 10 6 

♦ J 8 7 4 

♦ A J 8 3 



DECLARATIONS BY SECOND PLAYER 109 



Examples of hands with which the second 
player should ^'call" ''two" in a suit over the 
dealer's original no-trump declaration: 



VKQ10865 ^A6 

4^ 7 4. ^632 

^3 ^KQJ87 

3 4 

V Q J 1 O « 7 5 G 

4i 6 4^ K Q 7 8 

# A Q 9 6 . ^2 

4^84 4^KJ10954. 



^ c ^ A 

•(^KQJ875 ^109852 

^ Q J 1 O 9 2 

♦ 4 ^4 

Examples of hands which do not justify a bid 
of "two" in a suit over the dealer's no-trump 
declaration: 



^ O 4- V 9 6 3 

4^987 A7 2 

^AQ86 4 ^K10764 



110 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



3^ 

V 7 4 2 

JJU A K 8 7 6 

4^ 9 6 



5f A 1 O 7 
4^ 9 5 2 

4 Q J 6 4 3 



8 4- 2 
4^ K 8 3 
4 A J 9 5 
4^ 7 5 



V A K Q 
4^ 7 5 2 
4 K 6 i 
4^ 8 6 3 



DECLARATIONS BY THE THIRD 
PLAYER 



By the time the bid reaches the third player 
he has heard two decisions. His task is greatly 
simpHfied by the previous announcements, and 
his bid rests on the foundation of his own cards 
and his partner's declaration, more or less weak- 
ened or strengthened by the second player's say. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS DECLARED 

"ONE SPADE" 

The dealer's one-spade" bid is, to some ex- 
tent, a warning; it does not preclude the possi- 
bility of some strength. He may hold an assist- 
ing hand, but he assuredly has not an attacking 
one. He holds decided strength in no one partic- 
ular suit, nor does his hand admit of an original 
no-trump declaration. 

If the third player has a poor or a moder- 
ate hand, he should pass; being quite willing to 
take advantage of the protection offered by the 
limited loss of loo points on the one-spade" 
bid. Moreover, it is seldom that the dealer is 

left with a "one-spade" declaration; the fourth 
111 



112 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



player almost invariably makes an attacking bid 
to win game. 

If the second player has passed, the fourth 
player is marked with considerable strength; 
therefore the third player should not chance a 
light no-trumper. His declaration should be one 
which he can win with but very moderate assist- 
ance. 

If the third player's hand is but fairly strong, 
he should realise that the fourth player is likely 
to bid no-trumps and that the best defensive 
measure is to suggest his strong suit and thus 
direct the partner's lead. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS DEc 

"ONE CLUB" 

The third player should at once indicate a 
strong spade or heart suit, since both of these 
declarations afford a better chance for game. 

He should not over-call ''one club" with a 
diamond except when weak in the club suit and 
fairly strong in diamonds. 

The third player should bid no-trumps on any 
fairly well protected hand, since the club decla- 
ration offers but a remote chance for game. In 
this connection it may be well to say that pro- 
tection in but two of the suits is necessary to 
this bid, and the particular suit in which pro- 



DECLARATIONS BY THIRD PLAYER 113 



tection is most essential is the diamond, since, 
if the adversary is strong in either spades or 
hearts, he will indicate this strength by a bid. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS DECLARED 
"ONE DIAMOND" 

And the third player holds a strong spade or 
heart hand, he should naturally announce his 
suit, since the royals or hearts offer a better 
chance for game. However, the third player 
should not over-bid when he holds but moder- 
ate strength in royals or hearts and can assist 
the diamond make. His decision, therefore, de- 
pends upon his strength or lack of strength 
in the diamond suit, and upon the length or 
strength of his royal or heart holding. 

With strength in clubs, and in either hearts 
or spades, the third player should declare "no- 
trumps" when weak in diamonds. This make 
offers a better chance for game, and entails but 
Httle risk, since ''one no-trump" is rarely ever 
doubled in the new game; but should this hap- 
pen the double can be circumvented by a two- 
diamond" bid. 

When the third player is weak in diamonds 
and has strength in clubs, he should indicate 
this strength by a bid of ''two clubs." This 
serves to warn the partner of the diamond weak- 



114 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



ness, and also suggests a lead in case the no- 
trump bid is adverse. 

If the third player holds a very long and 
thoroughly established club suit, say six clubs 
to the ace, king, queen, he should bid ''three 
clubs." This declaration in itself would sug- 
gest great strength and should prompt a ''two 
no-trump" bid on the part of the dealer hold- 
ing protection in the other suits. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS ANNOUNCED 
A "TWO-TRICK" CALL 

When the dealer has announced a "two- 
trick" call of spades, clubs, or diamonds at a love 
score, the third player is assured of ample assist- 
ance to a no-trump declaration; and should 
stretch a point to make that bid. 

When the dealer announces "two spades," and 
the second player passes, it is compulsory for 
the third player to take his partner out of this 
declaration. 

If the third player makes the mistake of 
passing his partner's bid of "two spades," the 
fourth player is most likely to pass also, and it 
is highly probable that the spade declaration is 
the poorest one at which the two hands could be 
played. 

If he is unable to declare "no-trumps" and 



DECLARATIONS BY THIRD PLAYER 115 



has no strength in any one suit, he should allow 
his partner another chance to make a bid by a 
declaration of ''three spades." 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS ANNOUNCED 
"ONE ROYAL" OR "ONE HEART" 

The third player should usually allow the dec- 
laration to stand. Any change in the make 
should be in the nature of a warning to the 
dealer that the third player is particularly weak 
in the suit originally bid. 

When the third player can assist his partner's 
original declaration of a royal or heart, that is, 
when he holds one or more trump honours and 
a strong outside hand, he should rarely bid 
no-trumps." The contract is reasonably as- 
sured, and the suit make is a safer attempt at 
game. 

If the original declaration is ^^one heart" the 
third player should bid "one royal" when he 
is weak in the heart suit and strong in the spade 
suit. 

When the original declaration is '^one royal" 
the third player should hesitate to declare "two 
hearts" unless the heart suit is fairly strong, and 
unless it is supported by some outside high cards. 

A "no-trump" bid by the third player when 
the dealer has declared "one royal" or "one 



116 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



heart" implies weakness in the suit named and 
protection in the other three. 

If, after an over-call, the dealer reverts to his 
original bid, the third player should credit him 
with a good and sufficient reason, and allow the 
second bid to stand. 

Any justifiable change by the third player is 
a warning of danger because of weakness in the 
suit originally named and a protective measure 
denoting considerable strength in the suit nomi- 
nated. 

WHEN THE DEALER HAS ANNOUNCED 

"ONE NO-TRUMP' 

With any fairly protected hand, the third 
player should allow the declaration to stand; 
but it sometimes happens that he has consid- 
erable strength in royals or in one of the red 
suits, and Httle or nothing else of value. With 
a strong spade or heart suit, he should not 
scruple to over-call the make. Such a bid 
places the dealer in the happy position of being 
able to judge which of two makes is the more 
probable game-winner. If, after being in- 
formed that he can rely on assistance in but 
one suit, the dealer chooses to increase the con- 
tract to ''two no-trumps," the third player's 
bid has done no harm. 



DECLARATIONS BY THIRD PLAYER 117 



When the third player's hand is worthless, he 
should not hesitate to take his partner out of 
the "no-trump" bid as a protective measure. 

Any five-card suit with one honour may be 
accepted for this purpose. 

If the third player bids "two clubs" or "two 
diamonds" after the dealer ^s "one no-trump" 
bid at the beginning of a game, it amounts to an 
absolute confession of weakness. Such a dec- 
laration is a warning that the hand is worthless 
at the no-trump game. At an advanced score 
of, say, eighteen or over, a bid of "two clubs" 
or "two diamonds" may be made from strength, 
with the idea of announcing a certain game- 
winning declaration, or at least to give the 
dealer the option of playing the hand at either 
of the two makes. 

Taking a partner out of his "no-trump" bid 
with a worthless hand is an important develop- 
ment of the game, and while, at times, it may 
be difficult for the dealer to know whether the 
declaration is made from strength or weakness, 
yet it is usually wise for him to heed the warning 
given. 

The third player's over-bid of a no-trump 
declaration hinges primarily on the fact that 
the dealer's hand is not always strong. An 
alternative heart or, at certain scores, a dia- 



118 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



mond declaration with real strength is a safer 
effort for game; and, with length in the spade 
or a red suit, and an otherwise worthless hand, it 
becomes the duty of the third player to sound 
this note of warning. It then remains with the 
dealer to weigh the chances and accept or ignore 
the third player's suggestion. 

WHEN THE SECOND PLAYER HAS 
OVER-BID THE DEALER'S 
ANNOUNCEMENT 

Heretofore it has been assumed that the 
second player has passed, but when he has 
over-called the dealer's bid the third player has 
choice of four courses. He may pass, support 
his partner's announcement, make one of his 
own, or double the adverse make. The strength 
of the third player's hand, in combination with 
his partner's bid and the state of the score, nat- 
urally influences his say. It is frequently good 
play to pass until the dealer has had a second 
"say"; but, generally speaking, the third player 
should support the partner's bid with a hand 
worth, at the least, two tricks ; and by tricks are 
meant aces and kings. Strength in the declared 
suit is not essential for this purpose, although 
honours and length in the trump justify an in- 
creased bid. 



DECLARATIONS BY THIRD PLAYER 119 



A hand that is void in a suit or one which 
contains a singleton, as well as two or more 
trumps, may be considered a valuable aid to 
the partner's declaration. 

With two tricks, the third player should al- . 
ways support his partner's bid when the adver- 
saries are Ukely to win at game at their make, 
or when his own score is so far advanced that 
the game may be won at the dealer's declara- 
tion. 

When the adversary's score is at love, and 
the dealer's bid of "one heart" has been over- 
called by "two diamonds," the third player, 
with some diamond strength, should not be too 
anxious to support the heart make, since the 
opponents are unHkely to win game at a dia- 
mond declaration. In fact, unless he can rea- 
sonably expect to win game at the heart make, 
he should pass. 

WHEN THE DEALER'S NO-TRUMP DEC^ 
LARATION HAS BEEN OVER-CALLED 
BY THE SECOND PLAYER 

The third player is responsible for many Auc- 
tion penalties. It seems to be the prevailing 
opinion that, when he holds a protected honour 
in the adversary's declared suit, he should always 
bid "two no-trumps." There can be no greater 



120 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



mistake, in fact, unless the score is such that 
the adversary is hkely to win the game; a ''two 
no-trump" bid requires some strength in at least 
one other suit. 

When the adversaries' score is such that they 
are not Hkely to win the game, and the third 
player holds no strength other than a guarded 
honour in the opponent's suit, he should pass. 

With a very strong spade or a red suit and 
no protection in the opponent's suit, the third 
player should indicate his strength. 

A double productive of great gain occasion- 
ally falls to the share of the third player. The 
dealer has bid "one no-trump," the second 
player has over-called with a "two" bid, and 
it is then that the third player, holding de- 
cided protection in the declared suit, and some 
outside strength, should double, and not in- 
crease the no-trump bid. An adversary has 
contracted to take eight of the thirteen tricks 
against two strong hands, and the double offers 
the dealer the selection between winning game 
or securing a heavy over-Hne score. 

Too often is this particular situation over- 
looked and disregarded. 



DECLARATIONS BY THIRD PLAYER 121 



RULES FOR THE — - p r a v ^ 

First. — Do not bid no-trumps with a weak hand 
when the dealer has declared "one spade," 
and particularly when the second player has 
passed. The fourth hand is undoubtedly 
strong. 

Second. — Endeavour at all times to take the dealer 
out of an inexpensive make — other than the 
" one-spade " bid, and always take him out 
of a "two-spade" bid. 

Third. — ^Do not fear a no-trump declaration 
merely because of weakness in spades or 
hearts. If an adversary holds a strong 
spade or heart suit he will give a warning 
of this danger. 

Fourth. — Declare royals or hearts over the 
dealer's "one-diamond" bid with a strong 
suit and weak diamonds. 

Fifth. — Declare "two diamonds" over the dealer's 
"one-heart" bid when the diamonds are 
particularly strong and the hearts excep- 
tionally weak. 

Sixth. — Do not declare "two diamonds" over 
"one royal" or "one heart" when the hand 
will lend some assistance to the dealer's 
declaration. 



122 AUCTION BRIDGE 



Seventh. — Declare no-trumps freely on any origi- 
nal "two-trick" call of spades, clubs, or dia- 
monds. 

Eighth. — Do not change the dealer's royal or 
heart bid to a no-trump call unless you are 
weak in his suit and guarded in the three 
remaining suits. 

Ninth. — ^With a particularly strong royal or heart 
suit, declare "two royals" or "two hearts" 
over the dealer's no-trump bid. 

Tenth. — With a worthless hand, except in one 
suit, declare "two" in this suit over the deal- 
er's "one no-trump" as a protective measure. 

Eleventh. — When the second player has bid 
"two" in a suit, over the dealer's "one no- 
trump," do not increase the no-trump con- 
tract on protection in the adversary's suit 
without some additional strength. 

Twelfth. — When the adversary bids "two" in a 
suit over the dealer's "one no-trump" bid, 
double with real strength in the declared 
suit, particularly if this is augmented by high- 
suit cards. 



HANDS WITH WHICH THE THIRD 
PLAYER SHOULD BID NO-TRUMP 
WHEN THE SECOND PLAYER HAS 
PASSED AND THE DEALER HAS BID 



"ONE 
SPADE" 


"ONE CLUB" 


"ONE 
DIAMOND " 


"ONE 
HEART " 


V K Q 9 6 
4bA K J8 7 

♦ QJ6 


V AJ9 8 

} 9 6 4- 
AAQ7 


;^AJ94 
^K864 


4iK 1086 
AAJ74 


If A 1 O 9 6 
4iA 10 

J 64 


4I1 1092 
1093 


1063 
^AQ85 


^A 1096 
^QJ74 


4^A J 107 
4^AQ92 


4bAJ6 2 

#542 
AK982 


•I;AKJ7 
i^AQJ4 


4iAQ9 7 
^KQ96 


4kA 1096 


♦ AQ72 


J 1 
4iKQ6 

J 10 


Jf^Q J 106 
AKQ 107 


4tAKQ75 


4iQJ4 

^ AKQ8 
4 1098 


^KQ J 10 
4bJ 108 6 


^AK7 
^KJ93 


V K Q 5 

1098 


^432 

7 5 2 

^62 


4iK 1084 


J 105 
^AK 104 



123 



HANDS WITH WHICH THE THIRD 
PLAYER SHOULD BID NO-TRUMP 
WHEN THE SECOND PLAYER HAS 
- j^j. DEALER HAS BID 



"TWO 
SPADES" 


"TWO 
CLUBS " 


"TWO 
DIAMONDS" 


"TWO 
HEARTS" 


^AKQ85 


4^84 
^A 1076 


' 1 O 9 8 / 
4^AJ 10 

4kAKJ lO 


4tKQ4 
4^AQJ9 




JfliJ lO 


J!liKJ7 
4^9642 


4tAKQJ73 
4^AKQ 


4iK63 

♦ 642 
^AJ62 


♦ 9 6 2 
^A864 


4^642 
♦ 8 7 5 
AAK6 


J(^KQ J9 
4AK 108 


•JtKQ lO 8 
^82 


•JtJ 7 3 
^32 


4tK8754 
♦ ^74 


4tAQ J86 


♦ Q J 8 
^ 106 


4^ 107 5 

J 8 6 


4^A9 64 

1053 


J^bKQ 108 

A J 1 O 7 
4kAQ 109 


AAQ6 


•J^J 642 
4^543 


4^43 2 

J5 


4iAKQ64 
4AJ8 



124 



DECLARATIONS BY THIRD PLAYER 125 



Hands with which the third player should 
over-bid his partner's original "one no-trump" 
call: 



V O J B 5- l: K Q Q 7 Q 3 

4^9643 ^54 



& 7 9. f 
4^ 5 4^ 3 



"^l^ 9 6 5 3 ^2 

4» 8 2 4^96 5 43 

^ K J H 6 

4k 7 2 4k 8 3 

1 ± 

m 1 ■ K O J 9 6 

4bQ1073 4^43 

4^ 5 4^ 6 3 2 

1. A 

^ 1 O 9 8 7 A K 8 7 

4li 4 2 4; 4 2 

4^J9864 4^KQ10985 



DECLARATIONS BY THE FOURTH 
PLAYER 



There are but few points peculiar to the 
fourth player's game. Most of the suggestions 
offered for the second and third players are 
equally apphcable to the fourth hand. It re- 
mains for him to grasp the accumulated infor- 
mation conveyed by the three other players and 
to found his "say" on sound inferences from 
the previous bids. 

The partner's double of the initial spade bid, 
his "two-spade" call over the dealer's "one 
spade," or his one- trick suit call, shows no- 
trump assistance in the particular suit; there- 
fore, the fourth player is in a favourable position 
to compute his chances for winning game. 

If the dealer has declared "one spade" and 
the others have passed, the fourth player prob- 
ably holds strong cards; and has only to decide 
on the best attacking announcement of which 
his hand admits to win game. 

An intermediate score on either side is of no 
great value; therefore, unless he hopes to win 
game himself, the fourth player should never 
be over-anxious to take the adversaries out of 
a declaration at which they cannot win game. 

126 



DECLARATIONS BY FOURTH PLAYER 127 



Besides, an announcement by the fourth 
player affords the opponent a second opportunity 
to bid, and may result in the loss of the game. 

When the second player has over-bid the 
dealer's "one no-trump" declaration with "two 
royals" or "two hearts," and the third player 
has announced "two no-trumps," the fourth 
player should almost never raise his partner's 
bid to a three-trick call. There is little chance 
to win nine tricks against two no-trump hands, 
one of which is presumably guarded in the 
partner's suit. 

The fourth player should be able to distin- 
guish between his partner's free and forced bids, 
and be cautious about supporting such forced 
announcements. A forced bid is an indication of 
a suit which, due to a previous declaration, is 
necessarily higher than it would have been origi- 
nally. 

A "two-club" declaration over an opponent's 
"one heart" or "one diamond," or any declara- 
tion over the dealer's "one no-trump" call, is a 
forced bid. 

The fourth player should be cautious about 
increasing these contracts unless his hand con- 
tains ample support — at least three tricks; while 
he may raise a free bid, such as "one diamond" 
over the dealer's spade declaration, with any 
hand worth two tricks. 



128 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



When the fourth player holds a strong suit, 
there is often a distinct reason for over-bidding 
an original no-trump declaration. The game 
may depend upon showing his partner which 
suit to lead. 

With a club suit which may be established in 
one lead, and a sure re-entry card, it frequently 
pays to direct the partner's lead by a ''two- 
club" bid. This object gften also induces the 
fourth player to bid ''two hearts" or "two 
diamonds" on a hand which might not war- 
rant the bid were he second instead of fourth 
player. 

The following rules govern the fourth player's 
bid: 

First. — Make any declaration which is likely to 
win game. 

Second. — Do not be over-anxious to take an ad- 
versary out of a declaration, at which the loss 
of the game is unlikely. 

Third. — Distinguish between free and forced 
calls, and do not increase the partner's forced 
declaration with a hand worth fewer than 
three tricks. 

Fourth. — Indicate a strong suit whenever the 
partner's lead of that suit is likely to save 
game, and provided the dealer has declared 
no-trumps. 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 



The skill in the bidding at Auction is em- 
phasised much more clearly on the second and 
third rounds than in the preliminary declara- 
tions. Many players imagine themselves ex- 
pert when they have grasped the fundamentals 
underlying the opening bids. They do not ap- 
preciate the fact that the real test comes there- 
after. 

Some of the most severe Auction losses are 
due to the fact that players over-estimate the 
trick-taking value of their own cards. They are 
attracted by the good looks of a hand, fail to 
compute its real value, and gamble on the part- 
ner's cards instead of allowing him to indicate 
their worth. 

At the completion of the preHminary round 
of bidding, the dealer's side has either obtained 
the final declaration or the dealer is given the 
opportunity to make a second bid. Assuming 
that the original declaration was sound, and that 
the dealer's hand contained the general require- 
ments for that bid, five probable tricks, any 

129 



130 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



increased call should show that he himself holds 
additional strength. He may give his partner 
credit for one trick, but no more. He should 
not increase his own call on the possible strength 
of his partner's hand. If he cannot increase 
the bid on the strength of his own hand, the 
dealer should pass, knowing that his partner 
will raise the call with a hand worth more than 
the one trick. 

A player can never with safety credit his 
partner with more than a one-trick hand except 
when the partner has indicated a greater strength 
by a previous bid; but unfortunately, owing to 
the high opening bids in the new game, players 
now gamble on their partner's holdings, and, in 
order to indicate their suit, are compelled to 
credit their partner not with one trick, but 
perhaps three or four. This high bidding causes 
many of the heavy losses in Auction on what 
are termed "unfortunate" hands. 

It is not to be assumed that every hand can 
be gauged at its proper value. Cards have a 
queer way of getting into curious combinations, 
and at times are very unevenly distributed. It 
is when situations of this kind occur that the 
clever Auction bidder may lose. He outHnes 
and bases his bidding on the supposition that the 
normal distribution of the cards is to be expected, 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 131 



and experience has proven that this plan is far 
better than to expect that the abnormal dis- 
tribution is likely to occur. 

The incKnation to under-bid is just as strong 
with some as to over-bid is with others; and the 
one fault, prevailing opinion notwithstanding, is 
as bad as the other. The player who does not 
bid up to the value of his hand allows the adver- 
sary to obtain a cheap contract, one which will 
undoubtedly be filled. Did this player bid his 
hand properly and to its full value, he would 
either force the adversary to an unobtainable 
contract, or, if he secured the bid himself, would 
stand a chance of winning the game, or at least 
of scoring a certain number of points toward it. 
The cowardly or inexperienced player will not 
win at Auction. 

On the other hand, there are some who, 
blinded by the old Whist rules, base their bids 
on trump length, without side strength, and who 
do not reahse that it takes more than trump 
strength and length to assist and support a bid. 
These are the players who gauge the value of a 
hand by its looks, and have with reason been 
facetiously termed "those that play by ear." 

There are still others who endeavour to win the 
game without the cards, a foolish and most ex- 
pensive plan. They hope, by staving off defeat, 



132 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



that Dame Fortune " will eventually smile upon 
them; but the points that they lose in penalties 
are never regained. The result is always the 
same: large rubbers lost, small rubbers won. 
The true secret of success in Auction is to re- 
verse this order: to lose the small ones and win 
the large ones. Accept defeat graciously when 
the card strength is against you. Reahse that 
your chance will come another time. Don't 
lose on one hand the profit of a rubber, and, 
above all, don't overlook the fact that the feel- 
ings of a partner are. entitled to some slight con- 
sideration. 

ESTIMATING THE TRICK-TAKING 
VALUE OF THE TRUMP SUIT 

The value of a hand must be based on its 
probable worth, assimiing that a normal and 
usual distribution of the cards will be found, 
and ignoring, of necessity, the possibility of an 
unusual and peculiar distribution. A player can- 
not hope to bid correctly or successfully un- 
less this, point is properly appreciated. 

The trump suit has a certain value dependent 
on its strength and length. In considering the 
trick-taking value of the trump, or, in fact, of 
any suit, the player should count each lacking 
ace, king, or queen as a lost trick. Thus, out 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 133 



of king, jack, ten, and two small cards, he may 
expect to lose two tricks — ace and queen: out of 



TRUMP 


PROBABLE 


PROBABLE 


COMBINATIONS 


VALUE 


LOSS 


A K J X X 


4 tricks 


1 trick 


A K lO X X 


4 


1 " 


A K X X X 


4 " 


1 " 


A K Q X X 


5 


" 


A Q J X X 


4 " 


1 " 


A Q lO X X 


4 " 


1 " 


A Q X X X 


4 " 


1 " 


A J lO X X 


3 " 


2 " 


A J X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


A 1 X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


A X X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


K Q J X X 


4 " 


1 " 


K Q lO X X 


4 " 


1 " 


K Q X X X 


4 " 


1 " 


K J lO X X 


3 " 


2 " 


K J X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


K 10 X X X 


3 " 


2 


K X X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


Q J lO X X 


3 " 


2 " 


Q J X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


Q lO X X X 


3 " 


2 


Q X X X X 


3 " 


2 " 


J 1 O X X X X 


3 " 


3 " 


1 O X X X X X X 


5 " 


2 " 



ace, queen, jack, and two other cards he will lose 
one trick — the king. (See table of value of the 
trump suit on this page.) 



134 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



As there seems to be an exception to every 
rule, so there is to the one given above, in the 
case of a player holding seven or more trumps. 
A normal distribution of the other six cards 
would be two trumps in each hand, and in bid- 
ding a player should base his calculations on 
this contingency. 

ESTIMATING PLAIN-SUIT VALUES 
HOLDING TRUMP STRENGTH 

The scheme of successful play on the part of 
the declarant is founded on the idea of his being 
strong enough in the trump suit to exhaust the 
opponents' trumps and to establish and bring 
in his long suit. It necessarily follows that 
the stronger the trump suit the more easily this 
can be accomplished. 

Assuming that the declarant holds a suit of 
five cards other than trumps, the presumption 
is that, after the third round, he will be left 
with the remaining two cards as trick- winners. 

When the declarant holds a four-card suit, 
the normal distribution of the remaining cards 
is three in each of the other players' hands; and 
in estimating the value of a suit he should reckon 
the extra or thirteenth card as a possible trick, 
assuming, of course, that he has trump length 
and strength sufficient to carry out his purpose. 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 135 



All bids should be based on the number of 
tricks that a player will lose. 



PLAIN-SUIT VALUES 



LONG SUIT 


PROBABLE 
VALUE 


PROBABLE 
LOSS 


A K J X 


3 tricks 


1 trick 


A rv 1 U X 


Q (( 

o 


1 " 
1 


A v4 J X 


Q l< 

o 


1 


A Q X X 


Q l( 


i 


A I 1 V 

A J I VJ X 


9 " 

Li 


9 " 


A J X X 




9 " 


A X X X 


9 


9 " 

Li 


K Q J X 


O 


1 " 
i 


K Q lO X 


3 " 


1 " 


K Q X X 


3 " 


1 " 


K J lO X 


2 " 


2 " 


K J X X 


2 " 


2 " 


K lO X X 


2 " 


2 " 


Q J X X 


2 " 


2 


Q J X X X X 


4 " 


2 " 


Q lO X X 


2 " 


2 " 


J lO X X 


1 " 


3 " 


1 O X X X X 


2 " 


3 " 


X X X X 


1 " 


3 " 



The value of a plain suit is estimated in the 
same manner as the value given a trump suit. 
In counting each a player should reckon each 
lacking ace, king, or queen as a probable lost 
trick, and credit the small cards of his long suit 
as probable trick- winners. 



136 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



ESTIMATING THE VALUE OF A 
TRUMP HAND 

In the preceding examples the cards are cred- 
ited with their full worth, irrespective of unu- 
sual distributions and of their value in com- 
bination with the partner's hand. At times a 
hand falls several tricks below its estim^ated 
value, at others it wins several more, dependent 
on the partner's hand and on the position of 
the opponents' high cards. 

Therefore, it is not to be supposed that a 
player can, either invariably or definitely, gauge 
the precise value of his hand, yet the regularity 
with which hands will win the exact number of 
tricks as indicated by this system shows how 
important it is to form a preHminary esti- 
mate. 

The trick- taking value of the following hands 
has been estimated for the guidance of the stu- 
dent. (In each example the trump is heart.) 

ESTIMATING THE ASSISTING VALUE 

The temperament and general characteristics 
of a player cannot, of course, but weigh to a 
certain extent with his partner when it becomes 



ESTIMATING THE VALUE OF A 
TRUMP HAND 





Estimated 




Value 


Loss 




3 


2 


^ A K 5 


2 


1 


— 


3 






9 




5 


8 


^ A K 1 O 9 5 


4 


1 


3 




2 




1 


1 


A A 1 O R 7 


2 


2 




7 


6 


^KQJiose 


5 


1 




— 


1 
1 


O 1 O J5 R <!a- 

0jk v2 1 vj a o <=+ 


3 


2 




8 


5 


:- r- 


3 


2 


4^6 2 




2 


1 







2 


3 




6 


7 


1^ K Q 1 O 


4 


1 






3 


2 


2 






1 




6 


7 


. _ !< Q 8 7 


5 








2 




1 


^AQ8 7 5 


4 


1 




9 


4 



Estimated 





Value 


Loss 


1 O fci t3 ' i 


Q 
O 


o 


4. 




2 


; o 


1 


1 


1 O Q 7 1=; 




3 




5 


8 




Q 
O 


o 
o 


At 3 




2 


f K 7 5 


1 


2 


^A J 


1 


1 




5 


8 






i 


AA K 7 2 


3 


1 


J8 7 


— 
2 


— 
2 




9 


4 




Q 
O 


1 


A5 2 




2 


9 8 5 


1 


3 


^KQ9 


2 


1 




6 


7 


▼ A Q J 9 


4 


1 


•I^K 8 


1 


1 




1 


lO 9 7 5 


3 


2 




8 


5 




3 


2 


•f.7 




1 




1 


3 


4^KQ J 


2 


1 




6 


7 



137 



138 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



a matter of indicating assistance. Some players 
are apt to be ultra-conservative in their bids, 
while others go to the opposite extreme of rash- 
ness, and a partner, if he knows of these pe- 
culiarities, must naturally be in some degree 
influenced by them. Hence, the ideal at which 
a player should aim is to subdue, as far as pos- 
sible, what may be termed the promptings of 
temperament and allow nothing but the cold 
light of reason to suggest his bidding; for Auc- 
tion is a game of combination, and it is a hope- 
less situation when a player can feel no con- 
fidence in a partner's ability to bid according to 
the recognised canons of the game. 

Assuming that the partner has bid '^one" in 
a suit, a player should ''bid up to four" with a 
four- trick hand; "up to three" with a three- 
trick hand, and ''up to two" with a two- trick 
hand. 

Generally speaking, a hand worth two tricks 
is sufficiently strong to support the partner's 
declaration; but these should consist of ace, 
king, or possibly trump tricks. 

A player may increase or support his part- 
ner's bid \Adth two tricks, and re-raise one on 
each additional trick. 

This method rarely results in an over-bid of 
more than a trick. 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 139 



In an attempt to support a declaration and 
over-bid an opponent, the player's first increase 
of contract implies a certain definite power of 
assistance; any additional over-bid should show- 
strength which has not been previously indi- 
cated. 

In supporting or assisting the bid, bear in 
mind that trump length is very apt to be de- 
ceptive. It gives the appearance of greater 
assisting power than it really possesses. Hold- 
ing length in trumps is an assurance that the 
adversaries do not hold many of the suit, but 
it does not give the hand a greater trick value 
unless these trumps can be used for ruffing 
purposes. 

When a player is entirely void in a suit and 
holds trump length, his trumps are most useful 
to a partner, but a hand containing four or five 
small trumps, without suit strength and with- 
out short suits, is of no great value. The com- 
bined hands may contain superfluous trumps 
which the declarant would gladly exchange for 
suit strength. 

The. ace, king, or queen of trumps are each 
worth a trick to one's partner, and any two of 
these honours would justify an increase in the 
contract, with or without any other possible 
trick. 



140 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



When two or three small trumps are held, a 
player should not hesitate to support his part- 
ner's bid when his hand contains two or more 
tricks, and by this is meant aces or kings in 
the side suits. Queens, while they are useful, 
should not be considered as tricks in supporting 
the partner's bid. 

When a player is entirely void in a suit, and 
holds three or more trumps, he may count on 
two ruffs ; a singleton and three or more trumps 
he may safely estimate as worth one trick. 

A two-card suit and two or three trumps may 
help; but, if both adversaries are bidding this 
suit, the shortage is practically valueless, since 
the partner is apt to be equally short in the same 
suit. 

ESTIMATING THE ASSISTING VALUE 
OF A HAND, SHOWING THE NUM- 
BER OF TIMES A PLAYER SHOULD 
SUPPORT OR RAISE HIS PARTNER'S 
BID 

In each of the following examples the partner 
has declared hearts and an opponent has over- 
called: 



THE A S S I S T I N C V A. L I J E 





he 

bable 
icks 


ill 




H o <^ 




•■^ J & 




0) 


K 1 O 6 


1 


o 
fl 


4 9 4-2 




o 


^ A 1 O 9 7 6 




'3 




2 






2 




J|U A 8 7 3 


1 




* 




^ A 6 5 4 


1 






4 


Ph 




]^ 


a; 


4i 1 O 9 6 


* 


o 
C 
O 






"3 




1 








o 


4^ A lO 7 6 3 


1 


& 




1 


H 


^ J 6 4 3 





<» 

CO 




3 




•1^ Q 8 6 4. 


* 


10 


^ A O 
^ U O C5 


* 


Ph 











2 


o 

o 

& 






H 


^A109732 


1 


OJ 

w 




3 







The 
Probable 
Tricks 


The 
Player 
Should 


4;A K 8 3 


2 




Three 

mes 


^ A K 7 3 


2 






4 


s 


- 


1 


m 

0) 


4i J 8 6 4 3 




li 


2 


<B.S 


^ A 9 6 3 2 


1 






4 




4; K 8 6 4 


1 



c 






— 


03 


4^ K J 4 


1 


CO 


2 






1 




4li 10 8 6 




m 


^ J 1 7 




Ph 




1 




4» Q 7 2 


1 

* 


« 

a 



'; 4- 




a> 


^ Q 1 9 6 3 


* 


OQ 




1 




4^ 9 8 6 4 3 


1 

3 
2 

6 


Raise Four 
Times 



• Doubtful Tricks. 



141 



142 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NO-TRUMP VALUES 

There is no known method of accurately com- 
puting the probable no-trump value of a hand; 
that is, not until the partner's cards are exposed 
and, even then, the ultimate result depends upon 
the distribution of the suits; not infrequently a 
swing of five or six tricks is recorded because of 
the position of a single high card. 

It is much more difficult to decide whether or 
not a hand has sufficient strength to warrant a 
*'two no-trump" bid. Even very good hands 
rarely show this value; so that this declaration 
is more or less of a gamble dependent upon the 
partner's say and the adversaries' bids. 

Again, there is no means of estimating the 
value of a hand as an assistance to the partner's 
no-trump bid. It depends upon the combining 
quaHties of the two hands. No rule can be 
given to guide the player to a safe "two no- 
trump" declaration when his partner's "one no- 
trump" has been over-called by a "two" red 
bid. The call should, of course, imply a pro- 
tected honour in the adversary's suit; but this 
help alone is not sufficient, since the original 
no-trump is often light. The increased con- 
tract should signify, in addition, at least one or 
more tricks in another suit. 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 143 



The absolute requirements depend upon par- 
ticular conditions: 

First. — ^The amount of protection in the oppo- 
nent's suit and the general strength of the 
hand. 

Second. — The state of the score. 

Third. — ^The particular suit named — since the 
royal and heart declarations are more dan- 
gerous than the club and diamond. 

THE LIMIT OF SAFETY 

After a player has learned to estimate the 
trick-taking value of his hand, his partner's 
"say" should be taken into account. When 
the partner passes, thus refusing to support the 
bid, he may be given credit for one trick, but 
no more. Therefore, if his hand is worth six 
tricks, and the opponent has over-bid it with a 
"two- trick" declaration and the partner has 
passed, the original declarant should realise that 
anything further he may say is in the nature of 
an over-bid — that it is dangerous to continue 
unless he is willing to sacrifice points to save the 
game. 

When the estimated value of a player's hand 
is eight tricks, and his partner has passed, he 
may bid up to nine tricks; depending on his 



144 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



partner's cards to the extent of one trick. This 
system, however, is appKcable to trump decla- 
rations only. 

Generally speaking, when both adversaries 
have indicated strength by a bid, and the part- 
ner has either passed or made an original ''one- 
spade" declaration, it is fooHsh to continue 
bidding. 

The " three- trick " contracts are those most fre- 
quently broken, a bid of ''three hearts" over 
"two no-trumps," for example, being defeated 
about eight times out of ten. A call of "two 
no-trumps" over a red or a royal make should 
usually discourage further bidding. It is rarely 
possible to win nine tricks against no-trump 
strength, which probably includes a protected 
honour in the red suit indicated. 

There are hands with which the required num- 
ber of tricks, and sometimes even four odd, may 
be won, but these are exceptional. 

A bid of "three diamonds" over "two no- 
trumps" is similarly inadvisable, unless the 
player is willing to assume a loss to save the 
rubber. 

As a rule, a "two-trick" contract is a suf- 
ficiently heavy burden; the frequent over-strain 
is a " three- trick " call — a contract to win nine 
of the thirteen tricks. Therefore, the desire to 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 145 



saddle the opponent with a heavy agreement 
should not lead the player to over-weight him- 
self with an improbable contract. 

After the preliminary round of bidding each 
player should consider to what distance he may 
entice the opponent without placing himself in 
danger. It is almost impossible accurately to de- 
termine this limit; but a knowledge of the op- 
posing player's temperament, a recollection of his 
general methods of play and capabilities at the 
game, lead to a fair estimate of the probabihties. 

Much of the over-bidding at Auction is due to 
ignorance of the game, combined with an over- 
sanguine disposition; but some is due to a com- 
mendable desire to force the adversary up, which 
is not sufficiently curbed by a full reahsation of 
the danger involved in the effort. Such methods 
are more apt to deceive the partner than to harm 
the adversary. A reckless gamble with poor 
cards has absolutely no chance of success at 
Auction. 

With increased knowledge of the game the 
bidding becomes more and more skilfully based 
upon the state of the score and the real possi- 
bilities of the hand. 



146 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



BIDDING FOUR ROYALS OVER 
FOUR HEARTS 

The general strength of a hand, together with 
the state of the score, usually indicates the limit 
of sound bidding. Assuming, however, that a 
player is able to bid ''three royals," and that his 
bid is reasonably sound, he should not hesitate 
to bid for an extra trick in case an opponent bids 
"four hearts." 

It is assumed that the game is now at stake. 
The player, in bidding for the extra trick, may 
prevent the adversaries from securing a declara- 
tion that would probably win them game, while 
there is at least a possibihty that he may win it 
himself. The location of a single card or the 
distribution of a single suit often enables the de- 
clarant to win a game that would have been lost 
had the opponent controlled the dummy. 

The same general principles apply in the bid- 
ding when hearts and diamonds or royals and 
diamonds compete. The player, however, should 
not lose sight of the fact that, in this case, from 
a love score he must win eleven of the thirteen 
tricks to secure game. 

If a player holds insufficient strength to double 
a "four-heart" bid, he should increase a royal 
bid from "three" to "four." This bid of an 



CONTINUATION OF THE BIDDING 147 



extra trick is not likely to result in a severe loss, 
and is an insurance against losing the game, 
while it also affords a possible chance of winning 
it. 

FLAG-FLYING 

The game may frequently be kept from an 
adversary by over-bidding until he is tempted 
to double, forced to assume an impossible con- 
tract, or obhged to pass. 

In the hands of a novice this flag-flying" is 
a dangerous expedient. The loss on a single 
hand can be so great that the subsequent gain 
of the rubber is no fair recompense. It is a stra- 
tegic move, which should be reserved for desper- 
ate situations, and which depends, for success, 
on the ability to estimate accurately the value 
of the combined hands. If the game must be 
lost, unless a player is willing to over-bid or sac- 
rifice one trick, and only one, the expedient is 
not over-expensiv^ — in fact, it is recommended. 

If, later in the game, a rubber can be saved at 
no greater cost than the loss of two tricks, this 
surrender is equally warrantable. The differ- 
ence between winning and losing a rubber is 500 
points. The player stakes 200 points to win 
the remaining 300, with an even chance to se- 
cure the winning hand on the following deal. 



148 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



There can be no excuse for assuming an un- 
necessary loss; and just here is required the 
abiHty to judge whether or not the game is in 
real danger, and whether or not an attempt to 
save it would incur an excessive forfeit. 

Generally speaking, when strength is largely 
against a player, he should resign himself to the 
loss of the game or rubber; but when the dis- 
tribution of cards is such that the game must be 
lost if the opponent plays the hand, and can be 
saved at the limited loss suggested, there is no 
real reason why he shouldn't indulge in ''flag- 
flying." 



DOUBLING 



It seems to be the prevailing opinion that a 
double is all in favour of the doubling side, and 
it usually takes the novice some time to disabuse 
his mind of this fallacy. In fact, increased Auc- 
tion experience lessens the desire to double. 

A Bridge declaration once made cannot be 
altered; an Auction double re-opens the bidding 
and permits the opponents to escape, often to 
another and less dangerous declaration. There- 
fore, strength, which would guarantee success 
to a Bridge double, must often be concealed to 
attain it at Auction. Too often a large score is 
thrown away by overlooking this contingency. 

At all times the player should be most careful 
not to double prematurely. In fact, it rarely 
pays to double a one-trick call, except as a means 
of giving the partner information, no matter how 
strong the doubler's hand; a player should strive 
rather to coax the opponent to a high declaration, 
from which there is no escape, and then double. 

The utmost that the doubler can gain is an 
extra 50 points for each defeated trick; while 
the double may enable the declarant to score his 

149 



150 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



tricks at twice their original value, thus to win 
game, and, moreover, to secure a bonus of 50 
points for the fulfilled contract as well as 50 
points for each extra trick made. 

Nevertheless, doubling has its own, and a very 
important, part of the game. All of the unusually 
large scores owe their magnitude to doubled and 
defeated contracts; but these, in turn, owe their 
success to the fact that no avenue of escape has 
been left open to the declarant. 

Doubling depends largely upon the state of 
the score. A player should never make an un- 
certain double on the first game, when the adver- 
sary's fulfilled contract would not otherwise 
score game. A doubtful double on the rubber 
game, when the adversary's fulfilled contract 
cannot win the game undoubled, is so thoroughly 
and evidently unsound that condemnation seems 
hardly necessary. 

A swing of 500 points hangs upon the result 
of a rubber; so large a stake that nothing short 
of an absolute certainty can justify a double 
under these conditions. 

This is all changed when the undoubled con- 
tract, if fulfilled, must win the game. The 
double is then known as a ''free double," and is 
warranted any time there is a fair chance to 
defeat the contract. 



DOUBLING 



151 



When the adversary has reached a very high 
bid, such as ''four" tricks in a suit, and the ful- 
filled contract would win game or rubber, a 
double, with an even chance for success, is thor- 
oughly sound. So high a contract may be largely 
defeated, and, if it be fulfilled, the loss is not apt 
to prove serious. The double of a ''four-trick" 
contract does not require trump strength; high- 
suit cards, combined with the partner's bid alone, 
may carry it to success. 

In this connection, however, too great reliance 
should not be placed on strength in a long suit. 
A hand which appears strong may win compar- 
atively few tricks, because the declarant and 
dummy are short in different suits. 

Trump strength on the wrong side of the 
maker is likewise deceptive in appearance; it will 
undoubtedly be led through; and a double, in 
this position, is rather an aid than a menace 
to the declarant. It locates trump and suit 
strength and warns him to play the hand cau- 
tiously. 

Occasionally a player is offered the happy 
choice of defeating the adversary or of playing 
for game; and it is usually a difficult selection. 
Generally he should endeavour to win the game ; 
but his decision may be influenced by two con- 
siderations: 



152 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



First. — Is he certain to win the game? 

Second. — How many points is he likely to score 
by defeating the adversary in lieu of making 
that game (bearing in mind the fact that 
the side that plays the hand is also likely to 
score the honours)? 

Therefore, whether it is better to win the game 
or to defeat the adversary must depend upon the 
number of points likely to be gained by the ad- 
versary's defeat. 

The rubber has a fixed value. Assuming that 
the game is worth half the amount of the rubber, 
or 125 points, and that, by playing the hands, 
he will score both tricks and honours, then, if a 
greater number of points can be won than the 
value of the game or rubber — as the case may 
be — plus the difference in trick and honour 
points, it is an evident gain to defeat the adver- 
saries. 

A game should be taken unless a double would 
win 200 or more points, and the rubber should 
be preferred unless the double would score at 
least 300 points. 

Perhaps the most lucrative opportunity to 
double occurs when the second player bids ''two " 
in a red suit over the dealer's ''one no-trump" 
declaration, and the third player holds more than 



DOUBLING 



153 



protection in the suit declared, such as a hand 
containing four or five trumps, including two 
honours and at least one outside trick. Here is 
the third player's great chance to double; the 
one for which he should be constantly on the 
lookout. It means that two good hands are 
pitted against one adversary, who has con- 
tracted to take eight of the thirteen tricks. 

The double gives so much greater information 
than does a "two no-trump" call; it does not 
necessarily follow that the dealer will allow the 
double to stand. He may, on the contrary, bid 
'^two no-trumps," being glad to learn that his 
partner holds a protection in the adversary's suit; 
but it allows him to choose between a heavy 
over-line score and an almost certain game. 

The double of a black call is largely confined 
to the second player. His double of a "one- 
spade," "one-club," or, perhaps, a "two-spade" 
bid, is merely intended to show protection in the 
particular suit as well as no-trump assistance; 
and does not necessarily imply a desire that the 
double be allowed to stand. 

It is a curious fact that players generally 
seem to imagine that a double places a partner 
in extreme trouble, and that they are forced to 
come to his rescue. The writer's own experience 
is that they usually augment the danger by a 



154 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



call which is impossible of fulfilment, and cer- 
tain to be doubled. The time to take the part- 
ner out of a double is when the contract for 
tricks can be reduced rather than increased. 

When a three-club" bid has been doubled, 
a ''two no-trump" call may lessen the amount 
of loss; but it is wild, illogical reasoning which 
prompts an increase, rather than a decrease, of 
the contract. The partner should usually be 
allowed to decide this point. He can change it 
if he choose ; but he may be well satisfied with the 
double, and, perhaps, in a position to redouble. 

When the partner has doubled an adverse bid, 
and when the player lends no assistance to the 
double, he should not hesitate to take his part- 
ner out of it; and this is particularly advisable 
when he can make a declaration at which the 
game may be won. 

The general Auction laws do not limit the 
nimiber of times that a declaration may be 
doubled and re-doubled; but this point is usu- 
ally decided by previous agreement. The laws 
of Auction, as drafted by the Portland Club of 
London and the Whist Club of New York, limit 
the doubling feature to one double and one re- 
double. 

There are four particular situations which may 
warrant a double: 



DOUBLING 



155 



First. — When the adversary has obviously over- 
bid his hand, and the doubler cannot win 
the game at any self-announced declara- 
tion. 

Second. — ^When the adversary must win the 
game or rubber if his undoubled contract 
be fulfilled. 

Third. — ^When the adversary cannot win game 
or rubber unless he wins more than the 
fulfilled and doubled contract. 

Fourth. — With strength in the adversary's de- 
clared spade or club suit; the double shows 
protection, not necessarily a desire to play 
to defeat the particular bid. 

There are several situations which preclude a 
sound double: 

First. — On the rubber game with a doubtful hand. 

Second. — When the adversary's defeat is prac- 
tically certain, and a double may warn him 
to make a less dangerous declaration. 

Third. — On the first or second game when the 
fulfilled contract, because of the double, per- 
mits the adversaries to win game. 

Fourth. — With a game hand; unless, perhaps, 
the adversary's contract can be largely de- 
feated — by 200 or more points. 



156 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Fifth. — With the game, and rubber assured — 
unless a double would secure at least 300 
points. 

Successful doubling is undoubtedly the life 
of the game; it gains enough on one rubber to 
eliminate the loss of several; but success in 
doubling depends upon the abihty or inability 
of the opponent to escape, upon the state of the 
score, upon whether or not the game can be won 
by the doubling side, and upon the amount the 
double would gain. These decisions are, in turn, 
so contingent on careful and intelHgent deduc- 
tion, and the ability to gauge the value of the 
hand, that the subject lends itself to only gen- 
eral rules. 

RULES FOR DOUBLING 

First. — Do not double with a certainty when the 

adversary may escape. 
Second. — Do not re-double with a certainty when 

the adversary may escape. 
Third. — Never double, with a doubtful hand, 

when the increased value of the tricks might 

enable the adversary to win game or rubber. 
Fourth. — Double when the adversaries must win 

game, if the undoubled contract is fulfilled, 

with any hand which offers more than an 

even chance for success. 



DOUBLING 



157 



Fifth. — A heavy contract may be doubled with 

or without trump strength. 
Sixth. — Remember that a double locates high 

cards and trump strength, and may help the 

adversary to fulfil his contract. 
Seventh. — Do not double when you can win the 

rubber, unless the double would score 300 

or more points. 
Eighth. — Do not double when you can win the 

game, unless the double would score 200 or 

more points. 
Ninth. — Do not be over-anxious to take your 

partner out of a double unless you can bet- 
ter the situation. Usually allow him to 

exercise his judgment. 
Tenth. — ^In taking the partner out of a double be 

extremely cautious about increasing the 

contract. 

Eleventh. — Take your partner out of his double 
of an adverse bid, when you can lend him 
no assistance and when the game may be 
won at another make. 



THE PLAY OF THE OPPOSITION 



The players pitted against the declarant should 
aim at two goals. The first to save game, the 
second to defeat the adverse contract. 

The importance of saving the game needs no 
explanation; it naturally entails a knowledge of 
the score and of the ordinary Bridge methods; 
these methods are somewhat simplified by the 
dummy's bid, and influenced by the fact that 
the lead is always up to, and never through, the 
making hand. 

Once the game is assured, the second goal, 
to defeat the contract, becomes of paramount 
importance, and should be approached by any 
available method. Single tricks are then of no 
proportionate value. A trick, worth a few 
points to the declarant, scores 50 points for 
the opponents, and a defeated contract means 
that the declarant cannot score a point toward 
game. 

In this effort Auction again lends itself to 
strategic methods and lays claim to the highest 
scientific play. 

158 



THE PLAY OF THE OPPOSITION 159 



THE OPENING LEAD 

A lead from an ace-king smt is the best open- 
ing. This, or any ace lead from a long suit, 
affords a view of the dummy hand, the showing 
of which, combined with the partner's "say," 
suggests the most profitable subsequent play. A 
singleton opening is also gainful in proportion, 
of course, as strength in the suit may have been 
indicated by the partner or suggested by an ad- 
versary. In the latter event the lead entails 
some risk against declared trump strength and 
should be made subservient to any possible 
chance to annex a suit trick. A lead of the part- 
ner's declared suit is at all times a possible game- 
saver, and, with a tenace suit, such as ace-queen 
or king-jack, offers a welcome alternative. 

In responding to the partner's call, the best 
of three or fewer cards should be led, the highest 
of two or more cards in sequence, and the fourth 
best of four or more. 

The opening lead at no-trumps is still more 
difficult of selection. The player must decide 
between his own suit and that of his partner; 
and the choice rests upon the length and strength 
of his suit combined with the existence of, or 
lack of, re-entry, and upon the significance of the 
partner's bid. 



160 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



A player should lead his own suit : 

First. — ^When his hand contains a sure re-entry 
card and his suit can be established by one 
lead. 

Second. — ^When the partner's "one-trick" call 
has been over-bid and discontinued, and the 
leader lends no assistance to the particular 
red suit. 

A player should lead his partner's indicated 
suit: 

First. — On any "two-trick" call except spades. 

Second. — Usually on a "one-club" bid. The call 
shows fair strength and a probable re-entry. 

Third. — On any "one-trick" call, provided the 
leader holds strength in his partner's de- 
clared suit; but with A J x or A ten x and, at 
times, with A x x, provided the declarant's 
bid has shown protection in that suit, it may 
pay to wait until the partner can lead through 
the declarant's hand. 

At no-trumps the long suit is not necessarily 
the best opening. When a tenace suit such as 
ace-queen, or ace-queen-knave, has been an- 
nounced, it should often be avoided until the 
lead can be made through the declarant's hand. 



THE PLAY OF THE OPPOSITION 161 



WHAT TO LEAD WHEN THE PARTNER 
HAS DOUBLED 

When the partner has doubled a trump decla- 
ration, a trump lead is rarely advisable; for the 
reason that it is always up to the strength in the 
declarant's hand. 

The best opening leads are an ace-king, a king- 
queen suit, a long suit headed by an ace, a single- 
ton, or a two-card suit. FaiHng these, a player 
should lead his long suit, or the one which his 
partner has declared. 

When the partner has doubled the adversary's 
no-trump bid after the leader has shown his suit, 
he should open his own suit. ^ 

When the partner has doubled an adverse 
no-trump declaration after his show of a suit, 
the leader should open his partner's suit. 

THE OPENING LEAD -DECLARED 

The following table contains all the important 
combinations, together with the correct opening 
from each, and, when possible, the lead by which 
it should be followed. These combinations are 
classified according to their desirability as open- 
ing leads. 

All those in classes A, B, and C are good open- 



162 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



ings. The D's are poor openings, and those 
under E bad openings. 

A. Any suit headed by Ace King with or 
without other cards. 

B. All suits headed by a sequence of two 
or more cards, such as K Q or Q J. 

C. Weak long or weak short suits. 

D. Long or short suits which contain a 
single honour, or those which have 
tenace possibilities. 

E. Suits lacking strength and containing 
single honours. This classification 
does not include suits of two cards, 
or singletons which have no trick- 
taking possibilities. 



Good 
Openings. 



Poor 
Openings. 



Bad 
Openings. 



OPENING LEAD-DECLARED TRUMP 



A table showing the first and second leads 
from the various combinations: 



HOLD- 
ING 


LEAD 


FOLLOW 


CLASSIFI- 
CATION 


REMARKS 


AK Q X 
AK Jx 

A K 10 X 
A Kxx 

A K only 


King 
King 

King 
King 
Ace 


Queen 
Ace 

Ace 
King 


A 
A 

A 
A 


These are the best 
opening leads. 
But when Dummy 
is weak it may be 
advisable to wait 
until the Dealer's 
hand can be led 
through. 

Ace followed by King 
indicates no more 
of the suit. 


AQ Jx 
A Q lo X 
A Q X X 
A J 10 X 


Ace 
Ace 
Ace 
Ace 


Queen 

X 
X 

Jack 


D 
D 
D 
D 


These combinations 
should, if possible, 
be avoided. They 
are more valuable 
when led to. 


A lo 9 X 

A 10 X X 
A X X X 


Ace 

Ace 
Ace 


X 

X 
X 


C 

C 
C 


Fair openings with 4 

in suits. 
Good openings with 

5 or more in suit. 


Axx 

Ax 

A 


Ace 
Ace 
Ace 


X 

x 


E 
E 
E 


Poor openings. 


KQ Jio 
KQJx 
K Qxx 
KQ 


King 
King 
King 
King 


10 
Jack 
x 


B 
B 
B 
B 


Good opening leads. 


K J lox 
K Jxx 
K lo 9 X 
Kxxx 


10 

4th best 
4th best 
4th best 




D 
D 
D 
D 


These combinations 
should, if possible, 
be avoided. They 
are more valuable 
when led up to. 



163 



OPENING LEAD-DECLARED TRUMP 
Continued 



HOLD- 
ING 


LEAD 


FOLLOW 


CLASSIFI- 
CATION 


REMARKS 


Kxx 

Kx 

K 


X 

King 
King 




D 
E 
E 


Bad opening leads. 


Q Jiox 
Q J9X 
QJxx 
QJx 
QJ 


Queen 
Queen 
4th best 
Queen 
Queen 


Jack 


B 
B 
B 
B 
B 


Good opening leads. 


Q 10 9 X 
Q 10 X X 
Qxx 

r 


4th best 
4th best 

X 

Queen 
Queen 




C 
C 
E 
E 
C 


1 Not objectionable as 
> an opening. 
I Poor lead as an 
5 opening. 
Not objectionable as 
an opening. 


J I0 9X 

J 10 X X 
J X X X 
J 10 X 
J X X 

Jx 

J 


Jack 
4th best 
4th best 
Jack 
Jack 
Jack 
Jack 


10 

Jack 

16 


B 
C 
C 
C 
E 
C 
C 


Good opening lead. 

/ Not objectionable as 
C an opening lead. 

Poor opening lead. 
Not objectionable as 
an opening lead. 


10 9 8 X 

10 X X X 
10 X X 
10 


4th best 
or Ten 
4th best 

Ten 

Ten 




c 

c 
c 
c 


Leads are frequently 
made from these 
combinations in or- 
der to avoid more 
dangerous open- 
ings of other suits. 


98XX 
9 X X 
9X 
9 


4th best 
Nine 
Nine 
Nine 




c 
c 
c 
c 



164 



THE OPENING LEAD AT NO-TRUMP 



The opening leads given in the following table 
are from suits of but four cards. Greater length 
sometimes changes the lead, and these excep- 
tions are noted in the column headed "Remarks.'' 











HOLD- 


LEAD 


FOLLO 


REMARKS 


AKQx 


King 


Queen 


The best opening lead with or 
without other small cards. 


AK Jx 


King 




With considerable length the 
Ace is led. 


AK lox 


4th best 




The Ace or King should be led 
with 7 in suit or with 6 cards 
and a re-entry. 


AKxz 


4th best 




The Ace or King should be 
led with 7 in suit. 


AQJx 


Ace or 
Queen 


Queen 


The Ace should be led with a 
sure re-entry, otherwise the 


A Q 10 X 






X lit? -civ^c ollUtllU. Uc IcU. WlUll O 

in suit or with 7 cards and 
a re-entry. 


A Qxx 


4th best 




The Ace should be led with 8 
in suit or with 7 cards and 
a re-entry. 


A J lox 


4th best 




The Jack is often led from this 






combination, but this lead 
is not advised imless the 
suit is one of more than 4 
cards. 


A Jxx 


4th best 






A 10 9 X 


4th best 




The 10 is also led from this 






combination, but the lead 
is not advised unless the 
suit contains more than 4 
cards. 


A 10 X X 


4th best 






A X X X 


4th best 







165 



THE OPENING LEAD AT NO-TRUMP 

Continued 



HOLD- 
ING 


LEAD 


FOLLOW 


REMARKS 


K Q J 10 
KQJx 
K Q 10 X 
KQxx 


King 
King 
King 
4th best 


Ten 
Jack 


( Holding any number in the 
( suit. 

J 

With 7 or more cards the King 
should be led. 


K J lox 

K Jxx 

K 10 X X 


4th best 
4th best 

4-th hpst, 

4th best 




With 5 or more cards the 10 
should be led. 

combination, but the lead is 
not advised unless the suit 
contains more than 4 cards. 


Q Jiox 
Q J9x 
QJxx 
Q 10 9 X 

Q 10 X X 


Queen 
Queen 
4th best 
4th best 

4th best 


Ten 


/Holding any number in the 
i suit. 

The 10 is also led from this 
combination. 


J I0 9X 

J 10 X X 
J X X X 


Jack 
4th best 
4th best 


10 


Holding any nimiber in suit. 


10 9 8 X 
lo 9 X X 
10 8 X X 
98XX 
9 7XX 


10 
10 
8 
9 
7 


9 


1 Either the top or the second- 
1 best card of long weak 
1 suits should be opened to 
J show lack of strength. 



166 



THE PLAY OF THE OPPOSITION 167 



THE DISCARD 

The discard at Auction is from weakness. It 
is not necessary to indicate strength by a discard; 
the various bids supply the needful information. 

When the protection of a weaker suit forces 
a player to discard his long suit, it should be a 
card as high as the seven, to attract his partner's 
attention. Such a discard, followed by a lower 
one in the same suit, is an indication of strength 
in the suit. 

When a player, after leading a suit, discards a 
high and then a lower card in another suit, it is 
an indication that Tie holds a re-entry card in 
the suit discarded. 

Discard at all times to protect your hand, and 
when the declarant is in the lead endeavour to 
conceal the information that you are weak in a 
suit. A show of weakness may enable the de- 
clarant to take his finesses successfully against 
your partner. 



BIDDING AND PLAYING TO 
THE SCORE 

Bidding to the score at Auction means not 
only to take the safest and easiest road toward 
game, but also to make that journey as hard 
and as rough as possible for the adversary. 

When the adversary needs but one, or possibly 
two, tricks to win game, declarations are often 
made to the score, prompted by a desire that 
the opponent shall not obtain the contract too 
cheaply. 

All of these bids should be distinguished from 
those made at less dangerous scores, and support 
should be more cautiously tendered. 

It is at this time, however, that strategic and 
clever bidding, based on a knowledge of the pos- 
sibilities of the two hands, reaps its highest re- 
ward. A player must know just how far to go 
in the bidding without getting himself in too 
deeply, and, if his effort is to save the game by 
a sacrifice of points, he must be able to reckon 
his probable loss with some degree of exacti- 
tude. 

168 



BIDDING AND PLAYING TO THE SCORE 169 



PLAYING TO THE SCORE 

As soon as the dummy is exposed the declar- 
ant should estimate the worth of the combined 
hands and form a definite plan of campaign. 

He should be famihar with the various bids, 
and able to deduce correct inferences as to the 
location of suit strength and high cards. He 
should know when, and when not, to finesse, de- 
pendent upon the number of tricks which are 
needful both to win game and to fulfil his con- 
tract. 

The declarant's one and all-absorbing aim 
should be to win game. It is only when the 
game is impossible that his every effort should 
be directed toward fulfiUing his contract. When 
the contract also is beyond his reach, he should 
endeavour to Hmit the penalty loss to the small- 
est possible amount. 

The practice of endangering a contract by 
trying for extra tricks, when there is no chance 
for game, cannot be too harshly criticised. 
There are long odds against the risk of a heavy 
contract penalty for a small trick gain. It is also 
better to accept a small loss than to make a wild 
play for the contract which may double or treble 
the punishment. 

There are a number of particular conditions 



170 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



which should direct the declarant's play; the 
most important of these is when the dealer's 
finesse stands to win rubber or lose the contract 
by a trick, according to its outcome; pro\dded 
the finesse is an even chance, and the declaration 
has not been doubled, the player should strive 
to win rubber even at the risk of losing 50 points 
and the value of the contract. The total pos- 
sible loss cannot exceed 74 points, as against a 
trick which may secure the rubber bonus of 250 
points. 



INFERENCES 



Auction is largely a game of inference. Nat- 
urally, most of those which help to perfect the 
play of a Bridge hand are equally serviceable at 
Auction; but the latter game supphes, by the 
bids, numberless additional hints as to the loca- 
tion of the high cards and suit strength. 

At the present time Auction Bridge is com- 
paratively free from conventions other than an 
entirely logical show, of strength. In fact. Auc- 
tion does not so freely lend itself to rule and rote 
as do the older games of Bridge and Whist. So 
much depends upon the particular premises, and 
upon a knowledge of the individual tempera- 
ment and methods of play, that it is impossible 
to formulate fixed rules. 

Moreover, it is evident that a player should, 
at times, vary his system. It does not pay 
always to play a methodically calculated game; 
never to risk a possible loss for the sake of a pos- 
sible gain; never to tempt an adversary to blun- 
der. These are the strategic and amusing by- 
paths of Auction. 

A good player should be credited with a reason 
for what he does. There is a motive behind 

171 



172 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



his show of strength, which is to tempt an in- 
crease of contract, to win game, or to save it by 
the sacrifice of a hmited number of points. 

The opening lead is constantly directed by 
the bid, and information, more or less definite, 
should be accumulated from each say. The 
players should perpetually be on the alert to 
grasp the significance of each bid, pass, and 
double. Careful deductions from these simplify 
both the after-bid and play. 

INFERENCES FROM THE BIDS 
The original "one-spade" bid denies a strong 
suit. The strength, if any, is of the scattered 
sort. 

The dealer's "one-club" bid indicates strength 
in the club suit, and a hand which is of some 
assistance to a no-trump make. Otherwise the 
hand would have called for a "one-spade" bid. 

A bid of "two spades," clubs, or diamonds 
shows strong help for a no-trumper. 

Any declaration of no-trumps, after an ad- 
verse bid of "two," shows absolute protection 
in the suit named. Over a "one-trick" bid 
(other than spade) such protection is probable. 

The player who bids "three" red over a "two" 
no-trump call is either exceptionally strong or 
foolishly sanguine. 



INFERENCES 



173 



The second player^s double of an original club 
or spade bid is solely for the purpose of giving 
information. It does not imply a desire that the 
double should stand. 

When the second player passes an opening 
declaration of "one spade," his hand is marked 
with no strong, long suit. 

When a player passes, or bids spades originally, 
and subsequently makes a red or a royal declara- 
tion, he indicates length rather than strength in 
the suit named. 

When a player bids "two diamonds" over his 
partner's no-trump declaration, it is either a pro- 
tective measure with a worthless hand or a safer 
chance to win game at the score. 

When a player bids no-trump over his part- 
ner's heart or royal declaration, the bid shows 
weakness in the suit named and protection in the 
three remaining suits. 

A player's refusal to support his partner's bid 
is an indication of weakness — a hand that is 
not worth two tricks. It may, however, mean 
that he is satisfied with the opponent's declara- 
tion. 

A player's bid of "two diamonds" over his 
partner's "one heart" is a warning of weakness 
in the heart suit. 

The poverty of a player's hand is clearly shown 



174 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



by his refusal to bid no-tnimps on his partner's 
"two-spade" or "two-club" invitation. 

A bid of "two hearts" over the partner's "one 
no-trump" call is an indication of great heart 
strength or shows an otherwise worthless hand. 

A no-trump call over the partner's "one- 
spade" bid shows a strong and well-protected 
hand. 

When both adversaries are bidding and the 
partner has passed, adverse strength is indicated 
and it is more or less dangerous to continue the 
bidding. 

When all four players are either bidding or 
supporting a bid, it is an indication that the 
strength is divided. 



*'YOUR PARTNER" 



If you could only play a lone hand, free from 
any disturbing element, what a game Auction 
would be; what an absorbing and, more im- 
portant, what a lucrative game! Played the 
way you would play it without the encumbrance 
of your ever-faiHng partner, you could confi- 
dently count on it producing for you such an 
income as would more than justify you in giving 
up your business and devoting your time and 
energies exclusively to the game. 

Unfortunately, however. Auction cannot be 
played except in combination with a partner, 
and it is an established tradition in the anec- 
dotage of cards that ^'Your Partner" is respon- 
sible for every evil thing that befalls. You 
cannot play the game at all without him, and 
you cannot play it properly with. "Your Part- 
ner" is a dilemma which has successively per- 
plexed the devotees of Whist, Bridge, and Auc- 
tion. 

Opinion is unanimous that he is an evil, and 
the root of all evil, but it is admitted that he is 
a necessary evil. In his usual manifestations 

175 



176 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



he varies between a blundering ignoramus, who 
does not understand the first principles of the 
game, and a malevolent fiend, who deliberately 
and of malice prepense sets himself to spoil 
your play and lose your money. 

A stranger, innocent of the cherished tradi- 
tions of Whist and Bridge, overhearing a discus- • 
sion of an Auction hand, would be apt to wonder 
who this individual that you refer to as "Your 
Partner" can be. He would feel indignant with 
him for his crass stupidity, and would wonder 
how a fellow so impervious to the promptings 
of his better nature could be tolerated in decent 
society. Only after he was initiated into the 
mysteries of the game would he realise that 
*'Your Partner," in these discussions, is nine 
times out of ten the convenient scape-goat for 
your own sins. 

The world of clubdom is still awaiting the 
original spirit, who, in the conclave around the 
fire in the smoke-room, will electrify a bored 
audience by remarking quietly: "I made an 
awful mistake in that last heart hand." The 
probability is that he would be expelled from 
the club as a revolutionary character and a 
menace to the pubHc peace. 

If no very serious harm is done by creating the 
convenient fiction of "Your Partner" as a cloak 



"YOUR PARTNER" 



177 



for your own shortcomings, it should be remem- 
bered that your partner (without capitals or 
quotation marks) is a totally different person. 
Curious as it may appear, he is positively human; 
and, being human, he makes mistakes, just as 
you do, and may even be sensitive about them. 
Also, he is playing for the same stakes that you 
are, and it is a reasonable supposition that he 
is no more anxious than you to lose his money. 
Moreover, people play Auction because they 
expect to get some pleasure out of it, and there 
is very Kttle pleasure, either for themselves or 
for anybody else, at a table where two players 
are indulging in mutual recriminations over one 
another's game. 

Therefore, it is a safe rule in Auction to re- 
frain from criticism of your partner, however 
glaring his mistakes appear. It is no uncom- 
mon thing, at the beginning of the game, to hear 
a player, mistrustful of his own powers, ask his 
partner for advice and criticism. The instinct 
of criticism is a strong one in human nature, and 
a deHberate invitation to criticise affords an 
opportunity that is hard to resist. Hence the 
rule may be amended to run: Neither give nor 
invite criticism." 

In connection with the preceding it may also 
be remarked that the height of bad manners at 



178 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



the card table is to indicate by word or gesture, 
during the play of the hand, that you disapprove 
of something that your partner has done. In 
the first place, you don't know all that is in your 
partner's hand, and he is quite likely to be cor- 
rect in his play; and secondly, even if he has 
made a mistake, your comment on it may only 
cause him, from sheer nervousness, to follow it 
up with another. The player who casts his eyes 
up to the ceiHng in mute appeal, as his partner 
plays a card, is not only rude but offensive. 

A persistent run of bad cards is doubtless an 
irritating experience; but it is well to remember, 
in such a case, that you have held good cards be- 
fore and will probably hold them again. It is 
well to bear in mind under these circumstances 
that your partner is not holding bad cards on 
purpose, and that his feehngs are probably pretty 
much the same as yours. It is always during 
a run of ill-luck that the errors of a partner seem 
most palpable, and then is the time, of aU others, 
to keep silent about them. 

The most unpopular type of man at a card 
table is he who, according to his own account, 
is engaged in a chronic fight against bad luck, 
the man whom Dame Fortune has singled out 
for her most malevolent pricks. As a matter of 
fact, such a man is either a confirmed grumbler 



"YOUR PARTNER' 



179 



or an uncommonly bad player, for Fortune is 
very impartial in the distribution of her favours. 
In either case it is the partner who cuts him 
who is the more to be pitied. ''Well, partner, 
I'm sorry for you; I never hold a card," is not 
an auspicious beginning for a game, and as a 
means of introducing oneself genially to a part- 
ner is recommended for avoidance. 

In conclusion to these few remarks concerning 
that curious and inexplicable freak of nature, 
your partner — when your feelings are wrought to 
such a pitch by his obtuseness and density that 
they are at a breaking point, remember that to 
his consciousness you are in the position of "my 
partner," and that his self-control, in face of 
great provocation, may appear to him as ad- 
mirable and unprecedented as does yours to you. 



THREE-HANDED AUCTION 

The three-handed game is an extremely amus- 
ing form of Auction Bridge. Many players pre- 
fer it to the regular game. Its defect lies in the 
fact that it is largely a gamble for good cards, 
which may or may not be in the concealed hand. 

Each of the three players is pitted against each 
of the others. The player who cuts the lowest 
card is the dealer, the player cutting the next 
lower card sits at the dealer's left, and the third 
player at the dealer's right. The cards are dealt 
in the usual manner; but the dummy hand re- 
mains untouched until the final declaration has 
been made. 

The dealer makes the first declaration, and 
the bidding advances as at Auction Bridge, ex- 
cept that the players facing each other are not 
partners. Each declaration is a personal bid. 

The player who obtains the final call, plays 
his hand and that of the dummy against the 
other two players, who, for that particidar hand, 
become partners. 

When a player happens to be sitting opposite 
the final declarant, he must move into the vacant 
180 



THREE-HANDED AUCTION 181 



seat and play a partnership game against the de- 
clarant during that hand. 

The dummy hand is not exposed until a lead 
has been made. 

The game is 30 points, and a rubber consists 
of four games; but when two games have been 
won by the same player, no others are played. 

When the declarant fulfils his contract, he 
scores as at Auction Bridge; but, should he fail, 
he loses to each adversary. 

The game score is identical with Auction; but 
each honour is credited to the player who holds it. 

A player holding one club honour scores 6 points. 

two honours 1 2 

" " " three " " " 18 " 
" " " four " " " 48 " 
" " " five " " " 60 " 

The diamond, heart, and royal honours are 
similarly scored at their increased values. 

At no-trumps a player scores 10 points for 
each ace and 100 points for all four aces. 

One hundred points are scored by each player 
for each game won, and the winner of the rub- 
ber adds 250 points to his score. 

The question of adding 100 points for the sec- 
ond or rubber game, in addition to the 250, is 
often made a matter of agreement. 



182 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



At the conclusion of the rubber the total 
scores obtained by each player are added sepa- 
rately, and each player wins from, or loses to, 
each other player the difference between his 
score and that of each other player. 



TWO-HANDED AUCTION 



The confirmed Auction player is in some re- 
spects comparable to the confirmed drunkard; 
if he cannot get his regular allowance of play he 
is miserable. There is no more pathetic sight 
than a solitary card-player mooning around a 
club, waiting for others to turn up to make up 
a table. 

For the solitary player no alleviation in the 
form of a game of "Patience Auction" has as 
yet been invented. Possibly it may come in 
time in the wake of other strange devices for 
gambhng; but meanwhile the game has been 
so adapted that it can be played by two people, 
and, while it is at the best but a substitute for 
the proper four-handed game, it is sufficiently 
amusing and calls for no little amount of skill. 

The cards are dealt into packets of twelve 
each. The first four cards are placed in a sep- 
arate packet on the table, and the successful 
bidder counts this packet of four cards as a trick 
toward his contract, but at no stage of the game 
can either of the two players examine the cards 
in the concealed hand. 

183 



184 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



The bidding is the same as in the ordinary 
game of three-handed Auction." A player bids 
on what he holds in his own hand and what he 
hopes to find in his dummy. 

After the bidding has ceased and the declara- 
tion decided upon, a lead is made by the oppo- 
nent, both dummy hands being exposed. One 
hundred points are scored by each player for a 
game and the winner of the rubber adds 250 to 
his score. 

Honours are scored in the same fashion as in 
the ordinary game, except that honours con- 
tained in the extra packet are credited to the 
successful declarant. 



THE GAME OF COON-CAN 



It may be said that there is no possible excuse 
for including in a book on Auction a chapter de- 
voted to a game that bears not the least resem- 
blance to it. The only excuse offered is a suf- 
ficiently good one for any author to give, namely, 
that the game is one in which nearly every one 
who is likely to read the book is interested. 

There is no doubt that the origin of Coon-Can 
is to be traced to the Spanish game of Con- 
quian, a game which has always been popular in 
the Spanish-American countries, and more par- 
ticularly in Mexico. As Coon-Can, it has been 
played extensively in England, and is rapidly 
winning immense popularity on this side of the 
Atlantic. It resembles a sort of combination 
of Poker and Pinochle, and, as might be expected, 
is a game at which large stakes may be won and 
lost. 

In the Spanish game of Conquian, for two 
players, a pack of forty cards is used, from which 
the king, queen, and jack have been discarded, 
leaving each suit an unbroken sequence from 
the ace to the ten. 

185 



186 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Coon- Can can be played by any number, from 
two to five. Its chief attraction, however, is 
in the two-handed game, and this seems to be 
the one which is most popular. Considerable 
judgment and skill are required to play the game 
properly. There are various ways of playing 
Coon-Can, and every locality seems to have its 
own peculiar method. 

When a table is complete with five players, 
two full packs of cards are used, including two 
jokers, and each player receives ten cards, these 
cards being dealt to him one at a time. 

Having dealt to all the players, the dealer now 
turns the top card from the remainder of the 
pack, and the player at the left of the dealer has 
the option of taking this card and using it in con- 
nection with his hand, or of refusing it and 
drawing the card underneath it, which, of course, 
he does not see. 

The object of the player in 'Xoon-Can" is to 
dispose of all the cards in his hand, and he has the 
right to place, face upward on the table, all of 
the cards of one suit which contain a sequence 
of three or more cards. He may also free his 
hand of all triplets or fours of a kind, such as 
three sevens, or four nines, but these cards must 
be of different suits. 

However, in some localities, this latter rule 



THE GAME OF COON-CAN 



187 



is not enforced, as a player may put down any 
three or four of a kind. The question of play- 
ing sequences is also a matter of locality. In 
some clubs ''round the corner" sequences are 
barred, but in America the ''round the corner" 
sequences are used almost entirely. For in- 
stance, a player may dispose of ace, king, queen ; 
or ace, two, three; or "round the corner" king, 
ace, two. 

In some of the London clubs a player cannot 
show down less than six or seven cards without 
penalty. Should he do so, he forfeits ten points 
to each player and thereafter any player may ex- 
pose, without penalty, any number of cards. 

A player has the right to play one or more 
cards on any sequence exposed on the table, or 
to complete four of a kind, if any three of a kind 
are exposed on the table. 

The object of the game is to get rid of all the 
cards in hand before the opponent. Having 
done that, the player wins as many points as the 
total "pip" value of the cards held by the other 
player or players. In reckoning the points, a 
joker counts 15, ace counts 11, court cards count 
10 each, and the remaining cards count at their 
face value. 

It should be remembered that the first duty 
of a player is to draw a card from the pack; after 



188 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



which he may show down any combination that 
he may wish to, and, finally, he must discard a 
card from his hand, which should always be 
placed on the top of the pack or on the top of 
the last card exposed. 

The two-handed game played in America dif- 
fers somewhat from the game as played abroad. 
Two packs of cards are used, but all cards below 
the seven are taken out of the pack, and but one 
joker is employed. 

In this game the sevens count in the same 
fashion as the deuces, or twos, when the full pack 
is used. For example, a player can dispose of 
a ''round the corner" sequence containing king, 
ace, seven. 

In the two-handed game all threes or fours of 
a kind must be in different suits, and whenever 
the joker is used a player must announce what 
he wishes it to represent, his failure to do so 
allowing the opponent to use in it that combina- 
tion as he pleases. For instance, when a player 
places on the table two queens and the joker and 
fails to call the suit which he wishes the joker 
to represent, the opponent has the right to play 
a queen of a suit other than one on the table and 
thus complete the set of four. 

When a player elects to take up a card which 
has been discarded by an opponent, or to accept 



THE GAME OF COON-CAN 189 



the one which is exposed at the top of the pack, 
he is not allowed to retain this card in his hand. 
He must at once place on the table the sequence or 
set of three or four in which this card is to be used. 

When a player elects to draw a card from the 
top of the pack, and not the one which is exposed, 
he should do so before placing any of his cards 
on the table. Having drawn his card, he an- 
nounces his intention of disposing of as many 
cards as he wishes, placing them face upward on 
the table, or in the event of his not wishing to 
show, he discards a card on the top of the pack 
reserved for the exposed cards. It is then the 
adversary's turn to announce his declarations. 

A game usually consists of 200 points, and is 
played so much on the game and so much per 
point. 

l.AW^. OF COON-CAN 

The following are the rules for Coon~Can as 
formulated by the Bath Club of London: 

First. — ^The game may be played by any number 

not exceeding five players. 
Second. — If there are more than five players, 

those cutting the lowest shall form the table ; 

in cutting, the king is the highest, the joker 

the lowest. 



190 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



Third. — Two packs of cards, including jokers, the 
whole shuffled together, are used. 

Fourth. — ^In cutting for deal, the highest deals ; the 
king counting highest, and the joker lowest. 

Fifth. — ^The dealer deals ten cards, one at a time, 
to each player. The next card he places 
face upward, and the remainder of them, 
as a pack, face downward on the table. If, 
in a deal, any player has not received the 
proper number of cards, there shall be a 
fresh deal, but there shall be no fresh deal 
for an exposed card, or for a card exposed 
in dealing. 

Sixth. — The player on the left hand of the dealer 
plays first, and begins by taking into his hand 
either the exposed card or the top card of the 
pack. A card once touched must be taken. 

Seventh. — The object of each player is to dispose 
of the cards in his hand, and, for this pur- 
pose, he has the right to place in front of him, 
face upward on the table, either three or 
more of a kind, or a sequence of three or 
more of the same suit. In the formation of 
a sequence the ace may be used either to 
commence it, e. g., ace, two, three, or to ter- 
minate it, e. g., queen, king, ace, but not to 
connect king and two. 

Eighth. — ^Having decided whether or not to exer- 



THE GAME OF COON-CAN 



191 



cise the right given by Rule 7, he must dis- 
card a card from his hand, face upward, 
on the previously faced card, or, if he took 
the latter, in the place where the card was. 

Ninth. — Once a player has discarded a card ac- 
cording to Rule 8, he has lost the right, until 
his next turn, to act under Rule 7. 

Tenth. — Each player in turn plays as described, 
but, in addition, has the right, previous to dis- 
carding according to Rule 8, of discarding: 

(1) On to sequences, exposed by other 

players, such cards as may, at either 
end, continue the said sequences. 

(2) On to cards of a kind exposed by play- 

ers. 

Eleventh. — ^Jokers can be reckoned as represent- 
ing any card in the pack which the player 
exposing them chooses. 

Twelfth. — If a sequence, containing a joker which 
figures at either end of it, is exposed on the 
table, a player may move the joker to the 
other end, so as to enable him to discard on 
to the sequence any card which thereby fits 
it; but, once the joker has been moved, its 
position in the sequence is finally fixed. 

Thirteenth. — The game continues until one player 
has disposed of all the cards in his hand, either 
on to the table or the pack of faced cards. 



192 AUCTION BRIDGE 



Fourteenth. — To calculate his loss, each of the re- 
maining players then adds up the number 
of "pips" represented by the card or cards 
still in his hand, and pays to the winner the 
number of points to which the total of such 
"pips" amounts. For this purpose : 

(1) A joker counts 15. 

(2) An ace counts 11. 

(3) Court cards count 10. 

(4) The remaining cards count their face 

value. 

Fifteenth. — Cutting out. — One person can cut into 
a table of five, and he must sit behind the 
dealer; the player cutting highest shall be 
out, the kings counting highest and the joker 
lowest. Six completes a table. 

In addition to the above rules on Coon-Can 
there seem to be a number of situations which 
call for a rule and a penalty. The most obvious 
case is when a player rids his hand of imperfect 
sequences or imperfect threes or fours; for in- 
stance, to expose three queens, two of which are 
in the spade suit. 

A number of penalties have been suggested, 
but the only reasonable one which has been 
offered is that of deducting 20 points from the 
offending player's score; in addition to which, the 



THE GAME OF COON-CAN 193 



player at fault is compelled to take the cards 
erroneously played back into his hand. If the 
error is discovered by the player at fault before 
he has discarded, there is no penalty. 

It is claimed by some that once a player has 
discarded, he cannot claim a penalty by reason 
of cards erroneously played by his opponent, 
but the logic of this argument does not seem con- 
vincing. The scales of justice should be evenly 
balanced, and a player should never profit by 
his own mistake simply because the adversary 
happened not to see it at the time. 

A player should be forced to take back any 
combination of cards erroneously laid on the table 
as long as the opponent has a card left in his hand. 

It is not to be assumed that a player inten- 
tionally rids his hand of imperfect combinations. 
His act should be considered one of inadvertence. 

When a player fills in a set of threes with the 
fourth card, and makes an error in the selection 
of the suit, or plays a card which does not belong 
to either end of a sequence, such an offence is 
not as serious as getting rid of three or more 
cards at once. The card or cards played in 
error must be taken back into the player's hand 
and, as a penalty for the offence, lo points 
should be deducted from this player's score. 

It often happens in Coon-Can that a player will 



194 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



draw a card from the top of the pack when it is 
the turn of his opponent to do so. Such an act 
does no great harm, and all that is required is 
that the card should be shown to the opponent 
and placed back into the pack, which should 
then be re-shufHed. This is a fair rule for all 
concerned. 

Once a player releases his hand from his dis- 
card, he cannot use that card on any combina- 
tion exposed on the table. The moment the card 
is quitted, the opportunity is lost to play it. 

Perhaps one of the most serious of offences at 
Coon-Can is the fouling of one's hand; as, for in- 
stance, to discard a card without drawing one, 
or to draw twice before the adversary has done 
so. In both cases the adversary should have 
the option of a new deal. If he insists that 
the deal stands, the player who is short a card 
should be compelled to draw it from the top of 
the pack, or, in tlie event of his having over- 
drawn, a card should be drawn from the hand of 
the player at fault, and such card should be 
placed in the pack, which should then be shuffled. 

After the cards are dealt, in the two-handed 
game of Coon- Can, it is customary for the dealer 
to place the remainder of the pack at his right 
hand. This to remind the player whose turn it 
is next to deal. 



ILLUSTRATIVE AUCTION 
HANDS 



196 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No, 1 

In bidding no-trumps without a protected hon- 
our in the opponent's suit a player may gamble 
on the probabihty that the opponents will make 
but five or, possibly, six tricks. 

It has, however, been previously pointed out 
that the success of a no-trump declaration often 
depends on the position of the maker. In fact, 
the second player should indicate the strength 
of his hand by a high spade call, in preference 
to bidding ''no-trumps" without protection in 
the opponent's suit. 

Such a declaration says : " Partner, I hold great 
strength in all of the other three suits, but I lack 
protection in the dealer's suit. If you hold any 
strength in that suit, bid no-trumps, and depend 
upon me for strong assistance." 

In this hand, had the second player bid no- 
trumps, the opponents would have made six 
heart tricks as against a little slam by the fourth 
player's declaration. 













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197 



198 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 2 

Successful tactics at Auction depend largely 
on taking advantage of positions. 

It is, of course, more or less dangerous to de- 
clare no-trumps without a protected or guarded 
honour in the opponent's suit, but it is less dan- 
gerous to do so as the fourth player than as the 
second. The reason for this is that the lead 
comes from the player who has indicated strength 
in the suit by his bid; and the supposition is 
that, if the partner should hold a protected hon- 
our, his high card will be in a position to stop 
the suit. 

As an illustration of the importance of the 
lead, reverse the position of the second and 
fourth players' hands. The dealer would now 
save the game because the lead would come 
through the king, jack, and six of hearts. 















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200 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 3 

This hand illustrates the advisability of over- 
calling the partner with strong hearts and weak 
black suits. 

The question of an over-bid of the partner's 
"one no-trump" call arises more particularly 
with heart than with diamond possibilities. At 
no-trump the dealer loses the odd trick; the 
second player opens with the lo of spades, the 
fourth player wins the trick and leads a club. 
At a heart declaration, the third player scores 
game. 



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201 



202 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 4 

The dealer's declaration might be questioned. 
The club declaration seems safer. 

The sound call for the second player, at this 
juncture, would be " three royals "; he will lose 
but four tricks at the most. 

The third player can afford to raise twice on 
his lack of diamonds and the king of clubs. 

On the fifth round the dealer can infer from the 
third player's two raises that his partner holds 
trump length, a probable shortage in one of the 
suits, and one or more kings. His own hand 
is worth ten tricks. 

The ''five-royal" bid is perfectly sound, since 
the value of the honours and the possible loss of 
the game must be considered. 

On the sixth round the dealer has to decide 
whether or not to double the adversaries' bid 
or to continue with his own declaration. The 
former course would seem to be the more reason- 
able, were it not for the fact that the hand is evi- 
dently a freak. 

Had he doubled, the opponents would have 
won the game and scored the honours. As 
against this the dealer makes a grand slam and 
wins the game. 

This hand is given as an illustration of the 
swing that is possible in a trump hand. 



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203 



204 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 

The dealer has no bid other than "one spade." 

The second player's announcement is to the 
score, the diamond declaration being safer than 
a no-trump call. 

The third player's "two-club" call is thor- 
oughly sound, and, in view of the dealer's 
"one-spade" opening, much safer than a heart 
bid. 

The fourth player, because of weakness in 
the diamond suit, must bid a heart. 

An interesting situation confronts the third 
player: the loss of the rubber is almost certain, 
since the adversary's no-trump bid shows pro- 
tection in the club suit. 

The dealer's pass and the adversaries' bids 
show the third player that his partner has a 
practically worthless hand. His one and only 
chance to save the situation is to double and, by 
so doing, lead the fourth player to beheve that 
he holds the entire club suit, and tempt him to 
make an increased heart declaration. 

The fourth player quite naturally bids "three 
hearts," upon which the third player passes, 
fearing that a double would induce a change to 
the no-trump declaration. 























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Ist Round 


2nd Round 


3rd Round 



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11- 



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205 



206 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. t 

The interesting part of this illustrative hand 
is the fourth player's bid when it becomes his 
say. He has the option of calHng "one royal/' 
increasing his partner's bid to "two diamonds," 
calling "one no-trump" or "two clubs," or in- 
viting a bid of "no-trumps" from his partner 
by a declaration of "four spades." 

The "four-spade" declaration is much the 
best bid, since he can make the call of "two dia- 
monds" or "two royals" later. His partner is 
bound to give him another chance to bid. 



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207 



208 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 7 

The second player, after hearing the dealer's 
"one no-trump" bid, is in a peculiar position. 
He has the choice of passing, of bidding "two 
clubs," or of doubling. He is, of course, certain 
of seven tricks. A double might frighten the 
opponent into a declaration of "two hearts," or 
even "two diamonds" or "two royals." He 
can pass and remain content to win the odd 
trick and 50 points. 

The second player argues, however, that, at 
the score, the adversary will probably make an 
effort to win game, and that the call of a suit in 
which the opponent surely holds the ace would 
give the adversary sufficient confidence to in- 
crease his bid ; that it is extremely unlikely that 
he will be left with a heart declaration and, 
should it be doubled, he could change to a "two 
no-trump" bid. 

The third player having the heart suit twice 
stopped, as well as some outside assistance, bids 
"two no-trumps," which the second player 
doubles, thus scoring 200 points for the defeated 
contract. 





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1st Round 


2nd Round 


3rd Round 



209 



210 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND N . S 

With a strong spade suit the third player 
should give his partner the option of playing the 
hand at no-trumps or at royals. 

Also, in making any suit declaration over a 
partner's original ''one no-trump" bid, the value 
of the no-trump hand should be estimated as 
containing three tricks. 

The dealer should not support the royal dec- 
laration; his hand is worth not more than three 
tricks, and there is also a possibiHty that the 
partner's "two-royal" bid may have been made 
to indicate weakness. 

The value of the third player's hand is seven 
tricks, and gauging the value of his partner's 
hand as three tricks, by reason of his no-trump 
declaration, the third player may safely bid for 
*^four royals." 

After the bid of ''four hearts" the third player 
can locate the king of spades in the dealer's 
hand. The dealer holds no heart strength; 
otherwise he would have doubled. To justify 
the no-trump call, he must have held three 
guarded suits, and necessarily the king of spades 
will be one of his protected honours. 







































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211 



212 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 9 

It frequently happens that a hand is of no 
assistance to a no-trump declaration and yet is 
of such great strength that the game may be won 
with a suit call. This hand is an illustration of 
that particular bid. 

An interesting situation confronts the dealer 
on the second round of bidding, when his part- 
ner has over-bid him with, "two hearts." He 
must bid ''two no-trumps" to signify his weak- 
ness in the heart suit. If he were strong in 
hearts, he should allow the declaration to stand. 

As the third player has no possible entry card, 
and since he has been warned of his partner's 
heart weakness, it would be suicidal to allow 
the no-trump declaration to stand. 



CD 

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213 



214 



AUCTION BRIDGE 



NOTES ON ILLUSTRATIVE HAND No. 10 

When the dealer starts with a no-trump dec- 
laration and the adversary makes the mistake of 
calling ^Hwo" red with a weak hand, the third 
player has a golden opportunity to double. It 
is true that a "two no-trump" call would win 
game, but 700 points discounts the loss of the 
rubber, and the player has an equal chance to 
win game on the following deal. 





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215 



DEC 18 191? 



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